Khastegi

(Tedium)

VENEZIA 65. ORIZZONTI

22/30

Instantly when I hear of a film about transvestites I unfortunately stereotypically imagine a something along the lines of the fun and frolics of  The Adventures of Priscilla, queen of the desert but obviously a film about Iranian transvestites was going to be difficult, and as the film title suggests, monotonous.

Kahstegi is a difficult film that portrays the lives several transvestites living and coping in Tehran, Iran. Each character has minor variations of the theme however there are certain consistencies with all of them. Namely, family, the problem of acceptance in a strict Muslim society, (although I was shocked to learn that Sunnis’ do not condemn sex changes, if a person is born in the wrong body then they are perfectly free to change into the person they desire.), and finally although not conclusively the lack of rights for women in Iran.

The director portrayed and presented each individual problem that these people face, completely stripped bare, there were no delusions of glamour or happiness. It is all suffering, and even when operations are completed and sex changes happen there is still the problem of loosing your rights as a man and not being able to work or travel alone. It’s a sort of catch 22 situation, damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

In the film there is a lot of waiting around, mild aggression towards the transsexuals, funny looks and a huge sense of uneasiness. These people don’t suffer in an extremely horrible or abrupt way, they endure a slow and constant torment, like water torture, slowly dripping and never ending. Which in effect is much worse because at least if you suffer a huge trauma there Is eventual relief and time to try and get over it but with these unfortunate characters there is no end. Nothing ever gives; it’s a very bleak outlook.

Overall I found the film very difficult to watch but at the same time fascinating to get a glimpse into the lives of the characters, even though the dialogue and movement was very minimal. Some parts are almost reminescant of Fassbinder in where there is no dialogue for long periods, just a huge sense of unease. Although not in the correct context in which to compare this film, just an observation and most likely a reality in conversation. There was very little camera movement throughout, and the lack of action, so to speak and visual imagery made the film true to it’s title, and also the way it was cut into chapters with long title scenes made the film seem never ending. It must have been torture to produce.
 

29:08:2008

Khastegi

(Tedium)

VENEZIA 65. ORIZZONTI