WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
A measurement of attitude and outlook. It seems, as would be expected, so much easier to travel through our day-to-day routines while everything is going smoothly. When all is in order, our minds remain calm, deliberate, and full of correct intent, which in turn positively affects those around us as well as our own individual circumstances. But, if instead existing within a stormy haze of confusion and unsettled, misguided decision making, how we cope will become even more paramount in maintaining any sense of hope. For a middle-aged Iranian man (Amir Zavosh), his world is anything but composed as he finds himself not only fighting to keep his place of residence while on the bad side of building’s landlord (James Choy), but also severely struggling to find balance and true connection with his son, Reza (Maziyar Khatam), with the outcome of either endeavor FAR from guaranteed.
Next, my Mind:
Deeply, affectingly dramatic with an underlying, darkly comedic mean streak running through its volatile mood shifts and no holds barred, wholly grounded believability, this 13-minute short film from director Meran Ismailsoy, director/producer Anya Chirkova, and writer/producer/editor Maziyar Khatam delivers its messages with emphatic potency and compelling weight, leaving you both shocked AND awed in the sheer, emotionally raw presence of its purpose. Having the opportunity to be screened at the esteemed 2023 Sundance Film Festival as part of its Shorts Programming, the film becomes yet another testament to the absolute power of brevity and still FAR too overlooked, focused filmmaking that continues to make this overall genre/category of cinema one that filmgoing masses truly need to stand up and take more notice of. It’s thanks TO major indie-centric festivals like Sundance, Tribeca, Toronto and others that short film has its bigger day in the sun, and let’s HOPE that KEEPS happening. For this critic, it’s IMPERATIVE.
The excellently written narrative that sees an Iranian man, father, and former husband being forced to encounter not only his myriad of current shortcomings but the drastic and hurtful effects it had and still HAS on those once closest to him who are now alienated, maltreated, or even forgotten moves with immediate and frenetic pacing, launching us as the viewer into the clashing of personalities, life choices, acts of desperation, and veiled “solutions” with unshrinking, sometimes disturbing candidness that smacks you in the face with the level of human relatability being conveyed. THEN, as if it cannot get any more impactful, what provides us with the most jarring yet undeniably satisfying elements presented here is the immensely brilliant, intelligently constructed final act that so deftly sews up the grander package we’ve witnessed with such heartbreaking strength and meaning, at first leaving you, admittedly, chuckling, but just as quickly utterly saddened.
Thematically, the film finds tangents aplenty to explore to the perfect degree so as not to attempt to overload us but still not remotely leave us feeling cheated or having seen something “shallow” either, which this critic believes is another facet of well-executed short film magic when done right, as was the case here. The challenges of parenting, the expectations placed on others, the ripple effect of poor judgement, the longing to be free from what we felt chained by, the unpredictability of frantic situations (a hallway scene depicted was flat out unnerving!), ignoring how one’s actions are influencing others and their opinions of us, the perils of deceit, pushing those who care away rather than having them as our balance and lifelines, accepting (and shirking!) responsibility, and others factors all share screen time throughout via the primary characters and their shared plight. What strikes you is that even those components that transform the narrative for the better manage to get interwoven into the chaos and marred. Watch and see, folks. Period.
Zavosh more than decisively makes his mark in front of the camera through a decidedly tense, eruptive, and all-around fantastic performance as the slowly but assuredly advancing in years Iranian man who not only refuses to grow up but doesn’t show a care in the world for what anyone else thinks about it, even when it’s so overtly detrimental to ALL around him, even his own caring but longsuffering son Reza. Fighting tooth and nail against his financial position, his landlord, his outlook on who he is, where he is, and what he believes he’s trying to create being away from the homeland he adamantly wished to leave behind, the man soon faces his missteps in a manner that finally wakes him up to the realities he should actually embrace–or does it? It’s such a study in what it IS to be human and the messes we get ourselves into, even when (perhaps!) the original intentions behind it all WERE for the good. An amazing performance by Zavosh showcases this beautifully.
Khatam likewise delivers an undeniably memorable performance, stepping out from behind the scenes as the project’s writer (along with editing and producing credits to boot!) to play his part as Reza, the man’s young, educated son who must make more than his fair share of attempts to settle his father’s unraveled state of being while also ending up in a harrowing instance of his own thrown into the mix. Still making efforts to make his father see the proverbial light while also being the middleman between his father’s landlord and even angry neighbors, Reza is overwhelmed, traumatized, and seems to believe things will just not even out. However, when events DO take a turn, allowing him to find a place of reconnection and newfound boldness, honesty, and ideally understanding from his wayward parent, it appears it all will make the future a better place to inhabit. Whether this IS the case or not remains to be seen (WATCH THE FILM!), but Khatam is a wonderful, stirring, and fervent force to watch through his role.
The primary supporting appearances arrive through Choy as the man’s apartment landlord who is JUST a little steamed that this particular tenant is nothing but TROUBLE, yet may still find room for compassion should the entire fiasco change, and Sina Djamshidiat who, if indeed is the character I believe he was in the story, you REALLY need to watch that performance!! Apologies if it is NOT the character I am thinking it was. The film’s credits don’t actually spell out the character’s names and being transparent that this is my first time seeing these actors, I am relying on what I hope is a good guess! So, in total, “Baba” is a blunt force, eccentrically comedic exercise in confronting our faults, the price of our secrets, the need to reassess our choices in the face of life and those dear to us, and making that effort to see reconciliation and rebirth that leads to healed relationships and a calmer actuality–right?
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
