Watch 3 Faces

The 2018 Iranian drama film "3 Faces" is directed by the Iranian director, Jafar Panahi, who also stars in the movie. The movie tells the story of a young girl from a village who aspires to become an actress, and her plea for help to one of the country's most famous actresses, Behnaz Jafari. The film follows the journey of Jafari and Panahi as they drive through the mountainous region of northwestern Iran in search of the girl who sent a video of her suicide attempt to Jafari. The movie delves into the lives of actors and the challenges they face in a country where the cinema is highly regulated and under the government's scrutiny.

The movie begins with Jafari receiving a video message from a young girl named Marziyeh Rezaei. In the message, Marziyeh expresses her admiration for Jafari's work and her desire to become an actress herself. However, she is held back by her conservative family and the village elders, who believe that acting is a sin. The message ends on a desperate note, with Marziyeh hanging from a tree.

Jafari is distraught and sets out with Panahi to find the girl and learn more about her circumstances. Throughout their journey, they encounter several individuals who share their stories of repression and censorship in the film industry. The film explores the themes of tradition versus modernity, freedom of expression, and the power of cinema to capture the culture and struggles of people in Iran.

The scenery of the movie is stunning as the characters travel through a landscape of barren deserts, pastures, and rugged mountain ranges. The conversations and interactions between Jafari and Panahi are amusing and reveal their complicated relationship as colleagues and friends. The tension between them creates an undercurrent of energy throughout the journey, and the stunning scenery enhances the aesthetics of the movie.

The movie explores the lives of actresses and their struggle to balance fame and work with traditional family values. At one point, Jafari meets an old lady who complains about how her daughter left their village to become an actress, abandoning tradition and family values. The lady expresses her despair and how her daughter is now an outcast in the village, having brought shame to their family.

The film is a commentary on Iranian society and highlights the challenges that young women in rural Iran face. It also portrays the difficulties of artists working in a society where the freedom of expression is restricted by the government. Panahi, who has been banned from the Iranian film industry, uses his own experiences to comment on the current state of Iranian cinema.

The movie's title "3 Faces" refers to the three actresses featured in the film, Behnaz Jafari, Marziyeh Rezaei, and Maedeh Erteghaei. Each actress has a different story and represents a different aspect of Iranian cinema. Jafari is a successful actress who represents the current state of Iranian cinema, while Rezaei represents the hope and aspirations of young women who dream of becoming actresses. Erteghaei is a social media influencer who represents the changing mediums of modern media.

Overall, the film is a powerful commentary on Iranian society and the challenges faced by artists and young girls in rural Iran. The story is gripping, and the scenery is breathtaking, providing a captivating visual narrative of life in rural Iran. The interplay between Jafari and Panahi adds an extra dimension of wit and sarcasm to the story, giving it an edge that is both refreshing and engaging. The film is a must-watch for anyone interested in Iranian cinema, and its themes of tradition, freedom, and expression make it relevant for audiences worldwide.

3 Faces is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 78.