MOVIE REVIEW
A Good Day Will Come
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Genre: Drama, Short
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 26m
Director(s): Amir Zargara
Writer(s): Amir Zargara
Cast: Sia Alipour, Mehdi Bajestani, Yashar Mirian, Metin Ozturk, Shoale Shahbazi, Moeid Zalaghi
Language: Farsi with English subtitles
Where To Watch: TBA; for more information, visit www.zargara.com

RAVING REVIEW: A GOOD DAY WILL COME doesn’t just explore a narrative—it invites viewers into the world of Iran through the eyes of Arash (Sia Alipour.) This film by writer/director Amir Zargara meshes the fate of a fictional wrestler with the poignant true story of Navid Afkari, setting a stage where personal ambitions clash with the call for justice. Alipour delivers a powerhouse performance as Arash, embodying the essence of a man torn between the pursuit of glory and the need to speak out against injustice.

The visual storytelling, captured by cinematographer Jelan Maxwell, paints the stark reality of Arash’s world with a palette of grim landscapes and muted colors, effectively amplifying the film’s emotional weight. Every shot is carefully framed to mirror the internal conflict of a man wrestling with more than just opponents in the ring, blending the personal trials with political turmoil in a gripping experience.

Zargara exercises masterful restraint in depicting violence instead of building a tense atmosphere that enhances the film’s unrestrained depth without relying on graphic content. This approach maintains integrity and heightens the viewer’s emotional investment, making Arash’s battles resonate.

Alipour’s portrayal of Arash is nothing short of captivating. He brings a nuanced strength to the role, complemented by the seasoned Mehdi Bajestani as his coach, who embodies a spectrum of responses to oppressive powers, from subdued submission to quiet rebellion. Their dynamic adds a deeper intrigue to the story, illustrating the range of human reactions to tyranny.

As the plot builds to its poignant climax, it incorporates a powerful quote from the real-life Afkari, tying Arash’s fictional struggles to a broader call for dignity and justice. This choice magnifies the film’s impact and anchors its relevance, making the protagonist’s journey reflect the broader societal strife of their world.

Despite its cinematic triumphs, A GOOD DAY WILL COME has some interesting struggles. Exploring the film’s political dimensions could have benefited the story from a broader perspective, offering a more rounded view that could engage a wider audience and enrich the discourse around the themes it tackles. Hopefully, if there is ever a feature-length version of the film, there will be room to include more in this context.

A GOOD DAY WILL COME serves as a cultural bridge and a conduit, elucidating the universal challenges of fighting against oppression. Zargara doesn’t just tell a story—he crafts a commentary on the resilience of the human spirit against tyranny.

In essence, A GOOD DAY WILL COME offers a profound reflection on courage in the face of systemic injustice, woven into a narrative that challenges viewers to consider the cost of silence and the price of defiance. Through its meticulous blend of storytelling and visual artistry, the film not only marks Amir Zargara as a filmmaker of depth and distinction but also cements itself as a significant film that interrogates the conditions of life and the essence of human dignity.

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[photo courtesy of ZARGARA PRODUCTIONS, HAURVATAT FILM, LENZ FILMS]

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