This grading period, I decided to review the documentary This Is Not a Film.
This film follows a film-maker who was put under house arrest and banned from making films due to his spreading of "propaganda against the regime." In his attempt to salvage his art and not lose his touch, he films himself in his apartment during his house arrest. He also invites his colleague and collaborator, Martahmasb, to help him film. In his filming, he reads some of his ideas for films he was planning on making in the future that he can no longer make. He then interviews a young boy, who cleans the litter in the apartment, and asks him questions about life and his goals.
This film portrays the feeling of being locked in a confined space for so long very well. It is so simple, but manages to create such an emotional experience. The audience really sympathizes with this character, and as a film maker myself, I cant imagine being in the position that he was in.
It really is touching and is such a sad accurate depiction of censorship.
