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A Reel Life film section

Issue: Autumn 2014

My Sweet Pepper Land (2013) movie review

Wild, Wild Asia

Into a lonely small border town rides the new sheriff, a war hero looking for a new challenge and a new life. On the way he meets the local schoolmarm, young, idealistic, attractive and single. Together they try, each in their own way, to bring civilisation to the remote area.

John Ford? Sergio Leone? Nope. Hiner Saleem writes and directs this fascinating revisioning of the classic Western. Baran (Korkmaz Arslan) is a Kurdish independence war hero, Govend (Golshifteh Farahani) is a single woman, beset by brothers who rejects an arranged marriage to teach, and Aga Azzi is the local powerbroker who traffics in illegal and phony medication, alcohol, drugs and weapons.

movie poster, My Sweet Pepper Land, Festivale film review; 220x309

Movie poster, My Sweet Pepper Land

In this multi-layered story we can enjoy the overt Western tale of the lawman and his sidekick against the corruption in the town. We can also be fascinated by the resistance forces -- in this case all female, and the way that Govend shows quiet courage trying to do something as simple as teach. It is a story of good versus evil, modern morality against ancient powermongering, and the story of two people drawn together in their struggles.

Fascinating and highly enjoyable.


Golshifteh Farahani Playing the Hang Drum


Trailer, My Sweet Pepperland

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by Ali Kayn
Australian release 22 May 2014
For credits and official site details, see below
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Just the facts:

Title: My Sweet Pepper Land (2013)
Written by: Hiner Saleem (scenario & dialogue) and Antoine Lacomblez (collaboration)
Directed by: Hiner Saleem
Running time: 100 min
Rating:

The Players: Korkmaz Arslan, Golshifteh Farahani, Tarik Akreyî, Suat Usta

Official website:
IMDb entry

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