Taxi Tehran [DVD]

Great Iranian comedy drama. Loved the journey director Jafar Panahi takes us on as he plays a taxi driver for the day and picks up various people and tries to get them where they are going while listening to their problems and what they have to say about life. At first it seems this is not a film but a documentary, especially when one of the passengers is taken off to hospital and appears to die in the taxi on route! But generally the characters he encounters are for the most part quite fun and the film packs a lot of emotion.The Bootleg DVD seller who recognises the director is great, as are the group of old ladies with their bowl of fish. But it is his Niece played by Hana Saeidi that steals the film as the talkative and morally strong little girl. Absolutely endearing! The finale is very weak and should have ended with something strong; the film just seems to stop. Annoying but what comes before is pretty wonderful.

Absolutely delightful! I saw it twice-the second time with friends. We’re taken on a cab run through Tehran by the film’s most likeable director, posing as a cab driver. I knew nothing about Iran, now I have an idea of its people, and through the conversations in the cab I learnt that it comes second in the world in its number of hangings. But when you hear a ten year old girl chat about her school teacher and life in general, you know Iran has a hope of changing towards a more enlightened future. It was a glimpse into an unknown world. I recommend it highly.

I really enjoyed this movie from beginning to the end. It's a dialogue movie without the the heaviness of French movies.It also highlights current freedom of speech issue in Iran in a peaceful way.

Fascinating and amusing in-site, into life in Tehran/Iran. Also in-spite of what you hear ... most people the world over have similar problems, ambitions etc. Very good.

The most remarkable film ( or perhaps not a film) I have ever watched. I laughed and cried at the same time. It portrays reality in a depressed society, yet people smile as if the life is normal. You can not beat this.

Light handed realism,such a good film without affectation and a real heart. If only western films were so good,real gem.

Thank you for your courage, Mr Panahi. The world is full of cowards and people like you stand out for all the right reasons. Greetings from Spain.

I've always believed that 99% and more of the people of this planet are good and this confirms it. Why do we elect or allow morons to govern?