This incredible documentary is about the elusive Iranian artist Bahman Mohassess, whose work has the uniqueness of a Picasso or a Salvador Dalí.
But unlike his European counterparts, most of Mohassess’ work has been destroyed. Some in the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution in Iran but most, interestingly, by the artist himself.
After the revolution, he went into exile. For 40 years his whereabouts remained unknown — until an Iranian filmmaker based in Paris tracked him in a hotel in Rome.
Very early in the film, director Mitra Farahani points out that Mohassess died half an hour after one of their filming sessions.
The urgency of their conversations, the genius of Mohassess and his relationship to his art, and the uniqueness of the untold story of his life, all make this more than just another documentary. It’s a work of immeasurable historic value.
"Though he does it with a grin, Mohassess rages against the dying of the light as well as many of the things the world presented him with during his life."
— Godfrey Cheshire
"Though shy on background info, the docu offers a fascinating portrait of Iranian artist Bahman Mohassess."
— Jay Weissberg
Bahman Mohassess was a celebrated artist at the time of the Shah. Trained in Italy, he created sculptures and paintings in his homeland. But audiences often took offence at the pronounced phalli on his mostly naked bronze figures and his work was regularly censored. All traces of him were lost after the revolution. It was said he destroyed his remaining paintings and disappeared.
Berlin
1 nomination
This is hands down one of the best films I have ever seen. Having witnessed the Revolution I can easily tell you that what has been spoken in this film is authentic. If you love art as well, your pleasure is doubled.