WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The conviction to firmly adhere to your principals. On the surface, it should be truly easy to do, right? There are those ingrained conventions we are taught by parents or others in authority, and then the ones we learn on our own, those that become our personal credos. Yet, as time passes, and dependent on our circumstances, times might occur when all of it gets thrown into question, resisted, even condemned. Can we still find the fortitude to stand firmly then? For Iranian professional wrestler Arash (Sia Alipour), he already believes in and competes confidently for the good of Iran and its people. However, even as he watches his country suffering, a more direct tragedy strikes, sending him down a path of idealistically-driven actions that may or may not have the outcome he seeks.
Next, my Mind:
A wholly affecting portrait illustrating the relentless politics of tyranny, the barrier of forced silence vs. blatant exclamation, need for an overt shift in mindset, potency of merciless injustice, and the inspiration of steadfast patriotism, this Oscar qualifying, 29-minute short film from writer/director/producer Amir Zargara, producer Iman Tahsin, plus executive producers Scott Aharoni, Sia Alipour, Weggon Allen, Sholeh Alemi Fabbri, Tina Gharavi, Rouzbeh Heydari, Fitch Jean, Asa Kazerani, Shiva Negar, and Nickie Shobeiry presents its based-on-a-true events story with both muted and fiery intensity that WILL leave a mark on your soul and conscious. Taking its focus from the real life account of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari during the 2018 unrest and protests in Iran, there is no escaping the utter viability of a film like this, as even if in slightly different contexts, it still eerily (and sadly) mirrors the general atmosphere of our current world.
Told through a narrative which follows the stormy and flat out perilous personal journey of a professional competitive wrestler in Iran whose only “crime” appears to be allowing himself to actually CARE about how fallen the country’s state of being is and having a HEART for the plight of its people, the film benefits from a slightly longer, very purposefully and effectively executed runtime in order to make its points with emphatic impact, clearly and assuredly placing in your mind just how one person standing tall for GOOD can become a TARGET of their own government for having the sheer “audacity” to BE a voice of UNTROUBLED opposition, yet be viewed as a THREAT by the ruling regime. The fact that it also showcases just how doggedly undeterred an individual can be, even IN the face of warnings about pushing too far and drawing bad attention to oneself, when the core of their heart and soul is founded on the belief that an altering of government mentality is necessary, but can aim to be achieved through PEACE.
The film doesn’t remotely shy away from this while being equally compelling in how it so adeptly delves into the very heart of governmental inequity and fully hostile actions against anyone who dared to speak out against them. It’s disheartening to know this IS happening in this world, whether in the past or in places currently, and I feel it speaks to just how much we’ve lost even the basic ability to SEE each other as human beings, much less be able to always (if at all) put our trust in leadership to not be so brutally selfish, corrupt, and, at least in this example’s case, menacingly uncaring, but rather fair and benign in their aim to establish FAIR governance and policy for the betterment of its citizenry. Delivering a finale that will leave you shellshocked in sorrow, anger, and stunned disbelief, there IS still that undeniable, albeit underlying, degree of inspiration in the kind of (granted, totally involuntary as far as how it ends.) stalwart BELIEF portrayed that things CAN be better and, as the film’s title states, a day WILL come when this actuality is experienced. In foundational principal, this world SO needs MORE of THIS magnitude of faith.
Additionally, the film also credibly explores the entire concept of celebrity used as a platform, which can be a good OR bad thing depending ON the utilization of it. In this case, how it is employed by the lead character is completely understandable, legitimate, and powerful, even when it is so conspicuously evident it will cause waves. The REASONS for taking the chances are already legion, but one more tragic event that is depicted makes it unquestionably paramount. Also, an idea of familial legacy is established that I must say added to the more motivating facets of an otherwise weighty effort. Alipour absolutely SHINES with a tempered, intensely earnest yet also distinctly vulnerable, definitively believable, totally controlled energy through his performance as Arash, a man fueled by a passion for his chosen sport, to represent his country, and to truly be a man FOR the people.
Watching the country around him falling to pieces, the effect on his mind and very being drives him to make a choice in the wake of a devastating loss that immediately puts him in the crosshairs of government-directed efforts to most likely attempt to suppress him, as he also proceeded on an international stage. Yet, even as Arash continues his efforts in a manner that actually doesn’t promote violent confrontation, the outcome of his decisions remains in question, and possibly final. How Alipour so deftly embodies the character’s demeanor and actions is admirable and engaging. Primary supporting turns come first through Mehdi Bajestani as Arash’s wrestling coach who supports him yet also desperately attempts to consistently warn his star athlete about the inherent danger he’s inviting. Shoale Shahbazi is Arash’s mother, who’s suffering one loss within the family and doesn’t wish to encounter another, even with his insistence everything will be fine.
Moeid Zalaghi appears as Amin, Arash’s younger brother who clearly looks up to, if not fully idolizes, him and also seems to possess his older sibling’s impassioned attitude towards the injustices they are watching unfold around them. Additional appearances are made by Aria Changizi, Yashar Mirian, and Metin Ozturk among many others, whom I give a shout out to as I very much believe in the “no small parts” idea. So, in total, “A Good Day Will Come” astutely, candidly, stirringly, jarringly captures the very core of the plight those under highly oppressive regimes must contend with while displaying the kind of unshakable courage found in the human will and spirit that REFUSES to be beaten down or remain muted by fear, deeply crying out for that ONE thing we ALL strive for and deserve–FREEDOM.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
