Thanks for starting this thread, Trevor.

[My comments originally posted on 03/04/05]

The controversial debut feature from 30-year old Mania Akbari (the attractive star of Kiarostami's Ten) could easily have been titled "Seven." This episodic film (containing seven vignettes) portrays the burgeoning relationship between a husband (Bijan Daneshmand) and wife (Ms. Akbari herself) as they discuss many issues important to them and to the society they live in. The conversations, which mostly take place inside a moving object (after all the film is dedicated to Mr. Kiarostami), range from such issues as intimacy, abortion, jealously, extra-marital affairs, etc. Each episode slowly gains momentum as Akbari zooms in, catching every nuance and gesture. Long traveling shots through the streets of Tehran are simply mesmerizing, but what truly stands out is the dialogue: every word uttered has a hidden danger lurking behind it. A sensational debut!