Iran’s Mohammad Rasoulof, whose latest feature There is No Evil won the Golden Bear at last year’s Berlinale, has been making scathing social commentary of the Iranian regime for over a decade, but he remains relatively unknown and under-appreciated in the U.S.—despite winning numerous prizes at such top world film festivals as Cannes and Berlin. A Man of Integrity reveals the corruption and state cronyism at the heart of one of the most powerful and influential regimes in the Middle East.
The film section of the L.A. Times probably will not publish a review A Man of Integrity — click here to read our plea to the film editor to bring back the paper’s once comprehensive film coverage. Fortunately, other outlets are trying to pick up the slack and the nation’s leading film critics have nothing but praise for the movie:
“Rasoulof’s storytelling acumen is firmly in the realm of propulsive, detail-driven ethical thriller built on its character’s actions, rather than mere punching-bag melodrama.” ~ Robert Abele, TheWrap
“Every narrative twist… hammers home the same point: that it’s hard to be a good man in a bad system. Given the system Rasoulof works within (and against), however, it’s a message well worth repeating.” ~ Devika Girish, New York Times
“Rasoulof creates a form—nearly an anti-style—of stark confrontation that gives an aesthetic identity to his righteous and dangerous candor.” ~ Richard Brody, New Yorker
“A saturnine morality tale that unfolds in shades of rainy gray beneath leaden, overcast skies, gritting up the nation’s cinematic tradition of humanist drama to an almost unrecognizable degree.” ~ Jessica Kiang, The Playlist
“An uncompromising drama from one of Iran’s most outspoken directors.” ~ Deborah Young, Hollywood Reporter
“Although the film will be banned in its home nation, fests and niche arthouse distributors in most territories will welcome this brave, underground production for the way it manages to resonate on both specific and universal levels.” ~ Alissa Simon, Variety
“A satisfyingly gritty addition to Iran’s tradition of humanist cinema.” ~ Wendy Ide, Screen International