LERD A MAN OF INTEGRITY

A goldfish farmer in the North of Iran finds that his principles cost him dearly when he falls foul of the shady company that dominates the local community. Although muted in its approach – performances are stoically naturalistic – Mohammad Rasoulof ’s drama exerts a tension which builds along with the piscine body count. LERD is a gritty addition to Iran’s tradition of humanist cinema.
Reza is a man who refuses to cave to the culture of pay offs and back handers which oils even the most basic social exchange in the small town where he has settled. But integrity is a luxury that he can ill-afford, after a debt to the bank incurs a ruinous late-payment fine. Meanwhile, the company has infiltrated all levels of society, including government and police. And when the company sets its sights on Reza’s land, life suddenly gets a lot more difficult. (Wendy Ide)

MOHAMMAD RASOULOF IRAN, 2017, FICTION, 117MIN, OMEU