The President

It seems as if the Georgian setting of his latest film "The President" hasn't bothered Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf. The ease and familiarity with which he has directed his film in a foreign land makes all his loyal viewers believe that he has always lived there. Based on a screenplay for which Makhmalbaf contributed with this wife Merziyeh Meshkini, there is hardly any dull moment in this film about an old dictator who is forced to confront all those who were subjugated by him. The entire film is faster than the fastest roller coaster ride through its principal focus on allowing a dictator to explore all escape routes once his government has been overturned. "The President" is suitable for viewing by people of all ages as both young children as well as their old partners would continue to view a dictatorial government with utmost suspicion. For Mohsen Makhmalbaf, "The President" is a modern fable about power, reconciliation and the hope for breaking a never ending circle of violence while exploring the possibility of stopping the violence after a revolution in search of democracy and freedom.