Zalava (2021) User Reviews

In the pre-revolutionary Iran, Shah's gendarmes confront devils attacking Kurdish gypsies

[JulianApostate · 7/10 · 7 November 2022]

.... namely non-Persians....: this movie threads its politics and nationalism very carefully. With a potential loss for the depth and intensity of the story, it does not engage Islam in any way too. The exorcist seems to have never heard of Quran: pretty surprising when compared to the ubiquitous Christian theme of priests-exorcists.

This well-written story, starting from the total denial of the demonic, slowly takes more pro-demon stance (but never decisively) by engaging the love of the main character, a gendarmerie sergeant, for a local doctor, who is a reluctant demon believer (of the kind: it does not harm to believe). Once more, Eve (Malilah) leads Adam (Massoud) astray.

In its approach to ghosts/demons, the movie reminded me about "Benedetta" by Paul Verhoeven: both films leave open the question whether demons exist or not.

A glass jar

[BandSAboutMovies · 6/10 · 1 October 2021]

In 1978 Kurdistan, so close to an Iran about to change forever, the village of Zalava is cursed by demons or so the locals believe. To stop those who have been taken over by the dark ones, they use bloodletting as a form of lo-fi exorcism. But now a non-believing military man named Masoud wants to stop that from happening, but his initial efforts lead only to the town growing even more angry.

So when the shaman -- or oil snake saleman -- Amardan shows up and claims he can stop the demons, even Masoud might be willing to listen. Or Kurdistan is going to burn. But can you really keep demons locked up in a glass jar?

Seriously -- I've never been more freaked out by a glass jar than director Arsalan Amiri has made me. That's a major feat.

Between a man who believes in the rational, one who sees the spiritual and a doctor who believes in science but won't discount that the darkness may be real, Zalava is a real nail biter and a very different take on the exorcism film.

have high expectations

[mohamadyavari-91697 · 5/10 · 28 December 2023]

Before I saw the movie, I expected it to amaze me! After watching the movie, I realized that the story line was very disappointing. The actors did not sink into their roles as they should have. No fear was instilled in the viewer from the film, what was clear was that people are immersed in superstitions too much and it affects their lives and emotions. The atmosphere and environment were in line with the theme of the movie, and I didn't see any negative points from this point of view. On the other hand, using opinions and making movies based on this makes many things clear in the eyes of people. In general, the movie failed to impress me and I gave it 5 points, ignoring some things.

Mass hysteria and superstition

[Minnesota_Reid · 4/10 · 10 May 2022]

This is a solid portrayal of a village's mass hysteria over a supposed demon that is blamed for any bit of bad luck that happens. This time, a local army sergeant wants to stop this nonsense, and the clash of cultures leads to an inevitable (but very predictable) tragedy.

The three lead actors (the sergeant, the doctor, and the exorcist) were sound, but the rest of the cast were very amateurish.

THE MADNESS OF THE INVISIBLE

[olon-55702 · 8/10 · 7 September 2021]

A beautiful Iranian film capable of showing what is not there and creating tension with a simple glass jar. Difficult, once seen, to forget it. In a village in Kurdistan, just before the revolution, a young sceptical sergeant fights against the irrational beliefs of the local population. They believe that demons (the jinn of the Islamic religion) exist and take possession of men and women. In this case they have to be shot in the legs to draw out the blood and with it the demon. The sergeant tries to convince them that this does not exist, but the arrival of an exorcist (who in the eyes of the sergeant seems nothing more than a vulgar charlatan) sets the stage for an impending tragedy. Wonderful atmosphere, excellent pace, solid tension and a sharp reflection on the unhealthy power of faith and autosuggestion and how little reason can do in the face of these destructive forces. Not to be missed.

a kind of contrast between wisdom and ignorance

[parvasnan · 4/10 · 16 September 2023]

This movie was made in 2021. Fear is always associated with strange things and intangible events and issues. Fear of the beyond or things that cannot be seen and touched is one of the greatest experiences of fear for humans. Fear of things like demons or devils or things like that, which cinema has always benefited from and had good sales. Zalawa is also a kind of contrast between wisdom and ignorance. A fear that may come from ignorance and an intellect that is alone and must stand in front of an ignorant crowd. Zalava has good actors, but it is an ordinary film and nothing more. In fact, it cannot be said that Zalava is an attractive film, but the acting of the actors is acceptable and may bring the audience along.

Don't look at the score

[ron_iamamo · 10/10 · 3 July 2022]

I don't know why the score is so low. I watched it today at the NIFFF and it was BRILLIANT!

Never had so much tension because of a pickle jar! The acting is great, the editing is great, the stress is real! It's not so much a horror movie as there's no horror... what's horrible is how superstition leads to stupid actions.

If you like to open your mind on foreign cinema, this is it!

"Very superstitious,Writing's on the wall,Very superstitious,Ladder's about to fall."

[morrison-dylan-fan · 9/10 · 26 March 2022]

Being very lucky to see gems such as Skin (2020-also reviewed) at film festivals, I was excited to spot a Horror movie from Iran playing at the online WOW Film Festival, leading to me opening a jar to store a demon in.

View on the film:

The lone person in the village to raise questions about the powers of the exorcist, Navid Pourfaraj gives an excellent performance as military officer Ahmadi, who keeps a hard line on getting the locals to follow his orders, whilst subtly developing a lingering sense of doubt across Ahmadi's face over if he really is correct, that gives him a chilling pause for thought.

Setting off a meltdown in the village when Ahmadi gets the exorcist arrested, the screenplay by co-writer (with Tahmineh Bahramalian and Ida Panahandeh) debut director Arsalan Amiri superbly play the supernatural Horror on a note of skepticism, where the most threatening horror comes from the mass hysteria reaction of the villagers, who load up on guns targeted at anyone who interrupts their performed with a religious-like reverence, the rituals that the exorcist claims will fully rid them of the demon.

Wisely limiting the possible appearances of the demon to shadows on the wall, director Amiri lingers on objects rattling an uncomfortably long time with Iran New Wave-style distorted wide-shots, that are wrapped in a splendid sound design, thanks to Amiri and sound designer Mahoor Mirshakkak keeping eerie, grinding sounds rolling in the background, heightening Amiri's sinking feeling of doubt.

(Ir)rational

[kosmasp · 10/10 · 10 April 2022]

My absolute highlight of the Fantasy Filmfest so far (last day today). I just love it, when a movie engages with the viewer and knows that there are people who want to be challenged. Who want to think about things, who want the option to explain things themselves. What is real, what is actually happening? Do we see what we see or is there a different explanation? You can make your own mind up, what actually happens or happened.

Also the power of certain movements. Group movements, societal angst, fear in general and what it can make you do ... power in groups and auhorities. Can everything be explained? And should we rather be on the safe side? There are no easy answers here ... especially because of the way things unfold.

And by unfold I mean ... well you'll have to see. Althought even seeing, doesn't mean that what you saw is actually what happened. Can it be a coincidence if a glass breaks that is not supposed to break? Again this is so good because you can do things in your mind with it. And the way everyone is playing their character ... can there actually be a happy end? Really loved how "simple" this is on one hand, but how complex it is in the bigger scheme - making you think about it way after you've watched it.

Frightening, intense and dramatic

[martinpersson97 · 10/10 · 12 December 2023]

This incredible drama, with indeed some clever thriller elements baked into it, is very much deserving of all the praise it has gotten, and truly a gem of its year, for sure. It being made by a stellar director, of course.

The actors all do an incredible job, very emotional, very authentic and immensly career defining. All of this accompined by a stellar script for the ages. Very sharply written, rooted in realism, yet with some spookier and, mostly human grounded conflicts.

The cinematography, cutting and editing is great, very scaled back, and all around very unique and beautifully put together.

Overall, a masterpiece that is not to be missed for any lover of film!

Have you thinking long after you leave the theatre

[PattonReviews · 9/10 · 9 June 2022]

I have a feeling people who don't like this movie rate the Avengers movies pretty high. The movie broods but takes you on a journey that allows you to investigate your own relationship to the concepts of faith, fear, and motivation. Highly recommend.