[an exchange on 05/14/05]

arsaib4 on trevor826

The chapters are well filmed and special note must be made on the third part which was filmed in busy traffic in Tehran, the couple start of on a motorbike with a young child, because they keep arguing the wife and child disembark from the bike and get a lift from a passing car, the husband on his bike forces the car to pull over, the wife and child exit and after another argument they all ride off on the bike again. Doesnt sound too impressive till you realize it was all done in a single take, no cutting or editing and in real traffic, very skilled film making.

I'd like to see a behind-the-scenes doc. for that part and how it was accomplished. I'm still in awe of it.

The 20 fingers represented the number of men a woman could sleep with and still be regarded as a woman, any more than 20 and she would be regarded as a prostitute. I was taken aback at this because 20 is a hell of a lot for a man or woman.

I thought that was meant to be taken as metaphorical than anything else. In the manner it was said made it clear to me, but I could be wrong.

At the screening, Mania Akbari said that she initially wanted each vignette to be played upon a different couple, but changed her mind after the first one. I found that interesting.

What did you make of the opening shot?
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trevor826 on arsaib4

I thought that was meant to be taken as metaphorical than anything else. In the manner it was said made it clear to me, but I could be wrong.

20 Fingers came on the last of 4 long nights of Iranian cinema and documentaries, it is a tremendous piece of cinema especially when you consider it is the first feature film directed by Mania Akbari. I think you're right that the remark re "20 Fingers" was metaphorical but my excuse for taking it literally is that I was knackered and on the tail end of a feast of great films from Iran.

What did you make of the opening shot?

The simplest explanation of the first shot is "nostalgia", happily remenising for the lost innocence and playfulness of childhood and the moment of it passing, the voice of her mother echoing in her mind as a distant memory, these times of innocence and playing games were brought up a few times during the film.

At the screening, Mania Akbari said that she initially wanted each vignette to be played upon a different couple, but changed her mind after the first one. I found that interesting.

I am going to try and watch each section in a time order to see if it fits as one couple or as I originally thought, several different couples. Mania was at the screening! why don't I get that sort of luck?

I'd like to see a behind-the-scenes doc. for that part and how it was accomplished. I'm still in awe of it.

Before the film there was a short interview with Mania which also had clips showing the filming of the third section, Mania said they tried it 5 times until she was happy with the result, it looks even more chaotic from behind the scenes and hopefully there will be good "making of" docs on the DVD when it's released.

There have been many films covering the psychological battle of the sexes but I found this one fresh and enthralling.

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arsaib4 on trevor826

The simplest explanation of the first shot is "nostalgia", happily remenising for the lost innocence and playfulness of childhood and the moment of it passing, the voice of her mother echoing in her mind as a distant memory, these times of innocence and playing games were brought up a few times during the film.

It can certainly be discussed in detail, but that may require revealing of certain plot points. I thought the scene also had some sexual connotations.

I am going to try and watch each section in a time order to see if it fits as one couple or as I originally thought, several different couples. Mania was at the screening! why don't I get that sort of luck?

I believe you'll come to the conclusion that we simply visited the same couple at various stages of their life. I'd also like to see the film again, but I doubt that will happen, certainly not on the big screen.

Before the film there was a short interview with Mania which also had clips showing the filming of the third section, Mania said they tried it 5 times until she was happy with the result, it looks even more chaotic from behind the scenes and hopefully there will be good "making of" docs on the DVD when it's released.

I'm not surprised that it took them a while to get it right. Hopefully, the film will become available on DVD in the U.K because I don't see that happening here.