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Chess of the Wind + The Crown Jewels of Iran (15) + Introduction

Masterpieces of the Iranian New Wave

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A still from Chess of the Wind, showing a misty, orange-hued scene of a woman in a bath.

Two suppressed masterpieces, now restored to their true glory, not only showcase the use of colour in Iranian cinema but despite their visual splendour delve into the roots of decadence.

The Crown Jewels of Iran and Chess of the Wind explore the betrayal of the ruling class while foreshadowing the changes to come. In Ebrahim Golestan’s subversive and once-banned short documentary, The Crown Jewels, the narration sharply contrasts with sumptuous shots of precious jewels, condemning the decadence of past rulers.

Conversely, Mohammad Reza Aslani’s debut feature, Chess of the Wind, which vanished after its 1976 premiere at the Tehran Film Festival, plunges viewers into a labyrinth of corruption and decay within a household. Subtly foreshadowing the revolution, the film masterfully portrays the hidden inner struggles of Iranian society.

Tagged with: Cinema Masterpieces of the Iranian New Wave

Programme

‘Audiences won’t have seen anything like [Chess of the Wind]‘
The Guardian

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