When tragedy befalls his family, car-factory nightwatchman Ali (writer/ director Rafi Pitts) grabs his rifle and goes scalp-hunting in this neo-realist western set in Tehran.
Contrasting the brutal machinery of industry with the brutal machinery of state (corrupt cops, the Ayatollah hammering away on the radio), there’s a political message here somewhere, but Pitts (the actor) is such a Mount Rushmore of inexpressiveness it’s hard to invest too deeply.
Luckily, Pitts (the director) conjures moments of alluring bleakness evocative of Melville, including the best fog-based car chase you’ll see all year.
