Det Means Girl


Det Means Girl is a 1995 Iranian drama film written and directed by Abolfazl Jalili. It was entered into the main competition at the 52nd Venice International Film Festival.

Cast

Production

The cast of the film mainly consists of non-professional actors.

Release

The film entered the main competition at the 52nd edition of the Venice Film Festival, in which it won a Golden Osella. It was also screened at the 1995 Three Continents Festival in Nantes, in which Hossein Saki was awarded the prize for best young actor.

Reception

Tullio Kezich from Corriere della Sera praised the film, describing it as a "noble example of neorealism" and an "austere exploration of suffering" whose emphasis is on "the authenticity of its settings and situations, and on the fragile humanity of the non-professional performers portraying their own lives". Irene Bignardi from La Repubblica described it as "a moving and powerful example of Iranian neorealism" and "a heart-wrenching and harrowing film", "conveyed with sparing dialogue and powerful imagery". Variety's critic Deborah Young criticized the film's experimental editing and lack of rhythm, and wrote: "the best Iranian films manage to turn simplicity into a virtue, but on that score Det Means Girl misses the mark".