Current
films from Iran have been pushing the envelope very far in
raising political consciousness about the gap between pious
principles and rough realities. Under the Moonlight, directed
by Reza Mir-Karimi, continues the effort to persuade those
holding back progress to wake up and face social problems.
Sayyed Hassan (played by Hossein Parastar), a theological
student, enrolled to please his family in the province, as
he is a descendant of the prophet Mohammed. Although he is
a bright student, his first love is wrestling. When the film
begins, he is returning to town with Iran's top wrestling
team. His late arrival occasions criticism from the Principal
(played by Mehran Rajabi), but clearly he has lost interest
in becoming a cleric. All the other students in his class
have purchased the required garments for a forthcoming ceremony
to induct them as clerics. Finally, he receives funds from
home to obtain the garments. On the way back to the mosque
on the subway, however, a boy named Jojeh (played by Hamed
Rajabali) steals his package of clothing. Sayyed then tracks
down the boy, nicknamed Chick, and tries gently to have him
return the garments. Chick agrees, telling Sayyed to meet
in the evening under the bridge. When Sayyed reaches the bridge
in the early evening, he encounters Jojeh's sister (played
by Shaghayegh Dehghan), who is a prostitute. Then Sayyed goes
below the bridge to locate Chick, who does not show up. While
waiting for Chick under the moonlight Sayyed learns about
a world unknown to the clerics-homeless, out-of-work men who
are trying to stay alive somehow. He is so touched by the
stories of their lives that he sells the garments, which are
eventually returned to him, and buys them a nutritious meal.
Sayyed's decision not to complete his studies is thus influenced
by the fact that the clerics know nothing about reality. If
they really want to practice their religion, they would be
helping the less fortunate instead of merely learning rituals.
MH
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