“You can’t gift democracy by bombing a country,” says celebrated Iranian auteur Mohsen Makhmalbaf.
Speaking to The Hindu on the risks of making political films, Mr. Makhmalbaf, whose latest film 'The President' opened the ongoing 45 th International Film Festival of India, feels one needs to affect the culture and that’s why he makes films.
“I was a political prisoner when I was 17 years old. In prison I realized our political problem has roots in culture so we have to bring change through arts. That’s why I decided to make films and write books to change audience. To have a cultural atmosphere for democracy. When I was young I used to think Che Guevara's way is the right way but then in prison I came to know about Gandhi’s non violent principles. It is very difficult though. Today, all my 30 films and books are banned in Iran. Ten years ago I became a refugee. Iranian government sent terrorists to kill me. My shooting has been bombed where a crew member lost his life. Making political films is risky but there is no other way. If you want to change the world you should take risk,” avers Mr. Makhmalbaf, who lives in London now.
Talking about Arab Spring, which inspired The President, Mr. Makhmalbaf says, “What happened to Syria, Egypt and Libya? These countries had revolution but the result was not good. The people don't know how to deal with democracy. That’s why I made ‘The President’. It doesn't show democracy as a goal. It shows how you grow to imbibe democracy. I don’t think you can gift democracy by bombing and attacking a country. Democracy does need education and development. It is the desire of the middle class. The serfs want jobs and bread. That’s why I say Gandhi and Mandela’s way, the educational and cultural route are the paths to reach democracy.”
But when he takes this stand many in his country feel that he is pushing the agenda of the West. “This is not true. In movies like “Kandahar” and “A Moment of Innocence” I have criticized the West. I am thinking about people at large. Your act is related to your thoughts and an artist can affect the thoughts of people. Without changing the mind of people we cannot change their behavior. If you compare India with Iran, Afghanistan and other European countries, you will see a marked change in behavior of people. That’s why I not only criticize politics but also culture of people. The diversity in culture, philosophy and languages that you have in India is because of the kind of democracy that you have here. In my country all religions, cultures and languages are under pressure of one religion and one language. That’s why we are struggling for diversity, for perspective and dialogue. Even between common people. That’s why my films try to change people. We change the mind of audience first and then affect their culture.”
‘The President’ seems to be inspired by the fall of Muammar Gaddafi but Makhmalbaf says that he has drawn from various sources. “There is a reference from Uzbekistan when guerrillas are fighting with each other in limousine. I have referred to Saddam Husain’s life. It is not about a specific country it is about dictatorships, past, present and future. It is about democracy and it concentrates on nonviolent way to reach democracy.”
The film’s centre piece is the relationship between the president and his grandson. “The talk between the president and his grandchild is not only a talk between two generations but a talk with his childhood. What he was and what he has become. How power has eaten away his innocence.”
Some critics have found the references too obvious and direct. “I made this film for a wide audience but you will still find lot of metaphors like when the dictator carries the prisoner on his shoulders. Or when the revolutionaries are creating the same system as the dictator even as they feel they are fighting for democracy is presented through metaphors.”
IFFI is hosting a retrospective of Mr. Makhmalbaf’s films.
