\Crimson Gold,"" playing at the Orpheum Theatre, 216 State St., covers controversial ground. Written by well-known Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami and directed by Jafar Panahi, the duo is a very powerful force influencing Iran's impact on the global film circuit. Filmed in Tehran, ""Crimson Gold"" is fundamentally a critique of Iran's drastically imbalanced class structure and corrupt government.
""Crimson Gold"" opens with a seemingly simple jewelry store robbery that ends with a double tragedy. After being offended by the jeweler earlier in the film's narrative, pizza delivery driver Hussein (Hossain Emadeddin) and his best friend Ali (Kamyar Sheishi) decide to take revenge. The film continues with flashbacks leading up to the robbery that offer motivation for Hussein's final breakdown.
Hussein, heavy-set and heavily medicated, is trying to make a better life for himself the best way he can. He travels around Tehran on his motorbike delivering pizzas to the city's more fortunate inhabitants.??After Ali finds a receipt for a necklace worth 75 million rials in a stolen purse, Hussein is amazed at such unnecessary extravagance.??He and Ali visit the jeweler on the receipt in hopes of finding an engagement ring for his fianc??. The jeweler will not even allow them to enter his store, advising them to visit ""the lower end of town"" for their purchase. Hussein, a war veteran, is extremely frustrated with what he feels was a blatant sign of disrespect.
The jeweler's insensitivity drives Hussein into an even deeper depression. Hussein's delivery work brings him in contact with Tehran's wealthiest citizens. He is constantly pushed around by his boss, by customers and even by the police.
When Hussein is invited to share dinner with one of his customers, he gets his first taste of the good life.??The lavish apartment of his young customer is in stark contrast to his own meager dwellings. After this visit, Hussein reaches his breaking point and attempts to rob the jeweler the next day. Hussein is fed up with the injustices of Iran's class system under its fundamentalist government and is looking for change.
The narrative of ""Crimson Gold"" unfolds slowly, as is typical of many Iranian films.??This slowness brings the audience to an understanding of Hussein's mindset. The cinematography also brings Hussein's paranoia and claustrophobia to the foreground. Hussein is an interesting character, but at times it is difficult to determine his motivations. He seems to be a spectator in his own life, which makes his final robbery even more shocking.
The film was banned from Iranian cinemas, being labeled ""too dark"" for its moviegoers. As a result, it was not eligible for the 2003 Oscars. Despite this, ""Crimson Gold"" deservingly won worldwide acclaim. In 2003, it won an award at the Cannes Film Festival and the Gold Hugo for best film at the Chicago International Film Festival.??
