A HERO (2022) 

Asghar Farhadi’s Iranian drama A Hero has been thrown into the ring for the Oscars Best Foreign Film category following buzz at its debut at Cannes - where audiences applauded its ability to balance themes of redemption, heart, and true cost of doing the right thing. 

 

Admittedly, the story surrounding a man named Rahim (Amir Jadidi) on a two-day release from debtor’s jail is a little difficult to comprehend for a Western audience. It’s hard to even wrap one’s head around the fact that debtor’s jail still exists in parts of the world in the 21st century. But topics such as family, the quest for financial security, and an innate desire for freedom are universal.

 

Jadadi’s turn as an imperfect protagonist is wonderful; and his charm and likeability effortlessly transcends any language barrier. As a director, Farhadi continues to uphold his reputation for immersing viewers in Iranian culture. He forgoes the “bells and whistles” and instead opts for natural lighting, shouldered camera shots and simple editing to create an effective “fly-on-the-wall” experience. 

 

It’s not exactly a lazy Sunday afternoon watch, but A Hero is another triumph for Farhadi, as well as an understated character study which questions the true meaning of heroism.