Jafar Khan Is Back from the West


Jafar Khan Is Back from the West is a 1985 Iranian comedy-drama film, directed by Ali Hatami. It is based off an original play written in the late Qajar period by Hassan Moghadam. It is about the conflict between tradition and modernity, and Westernization and traditionalism. Part of this film was recorded in the village of Kabutarabad, Isfahan.

Plot

Jafar Khan has been living abroad in a western country and her personality has become emotionless, rootless, unimaginative and ignorant; while his family and those in Iran are acting mostly rooted, emotional and knowledgeable people. Jafar is assigned by the government to build a new city in Jafarabad, Iran which has been renamed New Jaff. The local villagers are employed to help build Jafar's plans to create his ideal society. Jafar tells his father Hajji Akbar that he is marrying a western woman, which sends his father into a rage, and ending with his father having a stroke. His father is rehabilitated, and he continues to build opposition to Jafar. After inciting the villagers to violence, Jafar leaves Iran for the west.

Cast