ifilm exclusive report on Iranian movie 'Final Exam'

Watch ifilm's exclusive report on Iranian movie 'Final Exam' directed by Adel Yaraghi, co-written by Abbas Kiarostami and starring Leila Zare.

ifilm: There are many familiar names and faces in this movie. The late Abbas Kiarostami co-wrote the screenplay with Adel Yaraghi for the movie ‘The Final Exam’. But, Abbas Kiarostami did more than just write the screenplay.

Yaraghi: As I mentioned, the initial idea belonged to Mr. Kiarostami. He helped me as I was writing the screenplay. The screenplay was written with his help. He was not present for the shooting.

After the shooting was finished, I regularly asked for his opinion with regards to editing and sound production mixing. He asked that some corrections be made.

For the final version, there were two minor corrections. We had shot a scene which he did not like very much. I replaced it with another scene; also another minor scene which I won’t explain about because of the shortage of time. Anyhow, it was minor.

Except for these two scenes, he has seen the rest of the movie. He didn’t see the two scenes because it was the final day he was in Iran and then he was taken to France. He was in the loop of everything.

ifilm: The movie recounts the story of a boy.

Yaraghi: He is a mathematics teacher. He goes to his student’s house as a tutor. At the very beginning of the film, he tells him that he wants to marry his mother.

His student doesn’t like what he says and with the help of his classmate, who is also on bad terms with the teacher, they try to create problems for him.

ifilm: ‘Final Exam’ is not the kind of movie that everyone clicks with. But I’ve heard that many have enjoyed it very much.

Zare: I won’t suggest this movie to those who are looking for a comedy to make them laugh for two hours. First, I will say who shouldn’t go and see this movie, and then who should see it.

Those who are looking for an extremely fast-paced storyline or an action movie shouldn’t see this movie.

This movie is interesting to those who are concerned about social issues and psychological points – those who have already seen Mr. Kiarostami’s movies will definitely like it.

Yaraghi: It’s a different movie. I don’t watch movies a lot and I’m not completely aware of what’s going on in today’s cinema industry.

But considering the things I see and hear and feel, it’s a different movie. I don’t mean it’s the best movie ever. No! It’s different from the movies you have seen.

We hope that the cinema industry becomes more real and not fake. We tried our best to distance ourselves from being fake and unreal.

If someone is looking for this kind of movie, it’s an acceptable one. If they prefer a different thing, I can’t tell them to go and see this movie. I can only say that there is this film and you can see it.

AI/AI