Rosewater exceeded my expectations. The anxious three hours of waiting in line for the film was all worth it. Jon Stewart's film on Iranian Journalist, Maziar Bahari, time being held captive and tortured for 118 days is deeply moving and important. The performances are all spectacular, especially lead actor, Gael Garcia Bernal, who gives a poignant performance especially in a scene where he begins to dance to a Leonard Cohen song, a highlight of the film. The interrogator, Kim Bodnia, also gives a powerful performance that could have been cliched, but instead gives a very deep performance that almost makes you emphasize with him.
The movie also fits is so timely with what is happening unfortunately to journalist in the Middle East right now.
Another aspect of the film that is done really well is how it portrays torture. Almost all of the torture is mental not physical. One great line in the film is when the boss in charge of the prison tells the interrogator, "You must not just take his blood. You must take his hope."
This film is a must see when it comes out in November. And one of my personal favorites. After watching many of the big films at Telluride, I can promise only Rosewater got the the 5 minute standing ovation from everyone in the crowd.
A video of the Q&A after the film can be found here. The video includes, director, Jon Stewart, journalist Maziar Bahri, and actor Gael Garcia Bernal.
The movie also fits is so timely with what is happening unfortunately to journalist in the Middle East right now.
Another aspect of the film that is done really well is how it portrays torture. Almost all of the torture is mental not physical. One great line in the film is when the boss in charge of the prison tells the interrogator, "You must not just take his blood. You must take his hope."
This film is a must see when it comes out in November. And one of my personal favorites. After watching many of the big films at Telluride, I can promise only Rosewater got the the 5 minute standing ovation from everyone in the crowd.
A video of the Q&A after the film can be found here. The video includes, director, Jon Stewart, journalist Maziar Bahri, and actor Gael Garcia Bernal.