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Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine (2001)
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Reviews Counted:44
Fresh:31
Rotten:13
Average Rating:6.3/10
Consensus: Hitting upon universal themes, this meditation on death is both poignant and wryly humorous.
Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Banned from making films for over twenty years by Iran's Post-Revolutionary Censor Board, Bahman Farmanara returns with SMELL OF CAMPHOR, FRAGRANCE OF JASMINE, a deeply inspiring meditation on... Banned from making films for over twenty years by Iran's Post-Revolutionary Censor Board, Bahman Farmanara returns with SMELL OF CAMPHOR, FRAGRANCE OF JASMINE, a deeply inspiring meditation on existence and death. Farmanara plays Bahman Farjami, a director in his mid-50s who continues to mourn his recently deceased wife. While driving to visit her grave one morning, he picks up a distraught young woman, who turns out to be carrying a stillborn child with her. When he gets to the graveyard, the day quickly turns worse. It appears that a mix-up has occurred and the plot Bahman has reserved for himself, adjacent to his wife's grave, has been mistakenly occupied. Distraught and confused, Bahman visits his doctor only to discover that if he doesn't quit smoking cigarettes, he won't be living much longer. To try to make sense of his demise and the effect it will have on those closest to him, Bahman decides to stage and film his own funeral. But when the morning comes to shoot the morbid recreation, it appears that his own time has come, sparking a realization that teaches Bahman a powerful lesson once and for all. Deftly incorporating his own experiences, Farmanara's personal essay reverberates with a sincerity that most films never achieve. [More]
Starring: Bahman Farmanara, Roya Nonahali, Reza Kianian, Vali Shirandami
Starring: Bahman Farmanara, Roya Nonahali, Reza Kianian, Vali Shirandami, Hossien Kasbian, Firooz Behjat Mahamadi, Mahtaj Noojoomi, Parivash Nazarieh
Director: Bahman Farmanara
Director: Bahman Farmanara
Screenwriter: Bahman Farmanara
Studio: New Yorker Films
Reviews for Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine
Communicates, with great clarity and precision, the specific dilemma of Farmanara's own 'futile' existence: the quiet horror of the artist who is denied the aching personal need and basic human right of self-expression.
The first film in 22 years by banned Iranian filmmaker Bahman Farmanara, Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine is something new for American movie gourmands.
The slow-moving film fails to capture the depth and intensity of what it means to battle political censure and depression.
A compelling Iranian drama about the mini-deaths that can be rehearsals for the great performance at the end of life.
The film’s satirical frankness may be a sign that Iranian cinema, too, is finally emerging from a prolonged depressive phase into something like affirmation.
Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine is not for all tastes, and patient viewers stand the best chance of receiving its rewards, which are, after all, worthwhile.
With its weak plotting and production values, Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine will test the patience of the most forgiving filmgoer.
The director's obsession with death sometimes seems overwrought and self-flagellating.
Farmanara's artistic vision is hit-or-miss and his material hangs together rather slackly
Depression is a fair subject for a movie, but this much moroseness shouldn't come to this little.
Bahman Farmanara triumphantly reclaims his own soul with Smell of Camphor -- and it's been well worth the wait.
Our comeback tale should end on a classic note of resounding triumph. Should -- but doesn't.
By turns accomplished and clunky -- part of which is probably the result of its obviously tiny budget -- but it's never less than fascinating.
It's possible to see the crudely assembled Smell as a plodding movie about a dour guy, but I prefer a more subversive take.
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