Since we live in a society, interacting with authority is inescapable. Terrestrial Verses depict fairly mundane day-to-day interactions– getting a birth certificate, settling a traffic violation, or attending a job interview– but through nine vignettes framed with a static camera, aimed at a person trying to negotiate with someone more powerful just outside the frame, these mundane interactions become satirically absurd. For those unfamiliar with the ideology behind the regime, these interactions are just so annoying. But for those in the know, the doublespeak in the dialogue reflects how finicky and arbitrary the rules set by the authoritarian regime are, and celebrates the wit and ingenuity of the ordinary people that have to navigate them. Terrestrial Verses seems utterly mundane at first, but it proves to be smart, incisive, and deeply insightful.
"This film is as muted in its approach to character and drama as its color palette, but the result is devastating."
— Ryan Lattanzio
"[O]ne of the most brilliant and provocative films to emerge from Iran recently."
— Godfrey Cheshire
A satirical take on the mundane absurdities of life in modern-day Iran, these nine vignettes illuminate the lighter side of enduring under authoritarian rule. Whether choosing a name for a newborn, graduating from grade school, getting a driver’s license, applying for a job, or seeking approval for a film script, if you live in Iran, you best come fluent in Orwellian discourse.
In nine vignettes, a petitioner negotiates with an authority figure in modern day Iran.
The film never shows the authority figures in the frame. It makes sense for a film portraying ordinary people, but the approach is brilliant because it highlights the words that these ordinary people would hear every time.
Yes, authoritarianism sucks because of the oppression, etc. etc., but have you considered that it’s just so dang annoying?
Cannes
1 nomination
