Film Movement Classics

The Early Films of Asghar Farhadi: Dancing In The Dust, Beautiful City

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Edition Type: Limited Edition Slipcover

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This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!

Details

This special limited edition slipcover (designed by Elizabeth Yoo) is limited to 1,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.

Founded in 2002 as one of the first-ever subscription film services with its DVD-of-the-Month Film Club, Film Movement is now a North American distributor of award-winning independent and foreign films based in New York City. In 2015, Film Movement launched the reissue label Film Movement Classics featuring new restorations released theatrically as well as on home video, with an emphasis on films by auteur directors such as Eric Rohmer, Peter Greenaway and Takeshi Kitano.

From master director Asghar Farhadi (Academy Award winners for Best International Film, THE SALESMAN and A SEPARATION), Film Movement presents his first two films, DANCING IN THE DUST and BEAUTIFUL CITY, restored and released as a double feature on Blu Ray for the first time ever in North America.

DANCING IN THE DUST:
Shortly following their impulsive wedding, the naive, young Nazar is pressured by his family into divorcing his new wife, Reyhane, after rumors circulate of her mother's possible sex-work. Still deeply in love, he insists on paying back Reyhane's marriage dowry despite his insolvency. Nazar is soon on the run from creditors and finds himself hiding out in the desert where he meets a taciturn old snake hunter. Much to the man's chagrin, Nazar insists on working with the hunter until he earns enough money to return to the city and make good on his mistakes. "Engrossing and eye-catching" (Variety), Farhadi's debut feature DANCING IN THE DUST ultimately reveals itself to be a tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption. Presented in a new 2K restoration.

BEAUTIFUL CITY:
The sophmore feature of Asghar Farhadi. After spending two years in juvenile detention for killing his girlfriend as a teenager, the troubled, young Akbar is transferred to an adult facility shortly after turning 18. No longer a minor, his death sentence will soon be legally carried out. Meanwhile outside, Ala — Akbar’s friend and newly paroled petty thief — along with Akbar's sister Firoozeh (played by Taraneh Alidoosti, in the first of her three collaborations with director Farhadi) set out to convince the victim's bereaved father to forgive Akbar, which could potentially reduce his sentence from death to life in prison. Navigating the complexities of Iran's judicial system together, the two form a close bond in their desperate attempts to seek clemency before it is too late. A “well-acted [and] compelling human drama," (The Hollywood Reporter), Beautiful City is now presented in a new 2K restoration approved by the director.

directed by: Asghar Farhadi
starring: Yousef Khodaparast, Baran Kosari, Faramarz Gharibian, Taraneh Alidoosti, Babak Ansari, Ahoo Kheradmand
2003, 2004 / 203 min (combined) / 1.85:1 / Persian PCM Stereo, PCM Dual Mono

Additional info:

  • Region Free 2-Disc Blu-ray
  • Video essays
  • Trailers
  • English subtitles

Overall rating: 4.6666665 / 5 from 30 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

This limited edition slipcover features the first two films by acclaimed Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, DANCING IN THE DUST and BEAUTIFUL CITY, presented in new 2K restorations. Customers praise the quality and craftsmanship of these films, and the release is highly regarded.

Summary topics

  • Film Quality: 40%
  • Release Quality: 24%
  • Craftsmanship: 24%

Review topics: ["looks","style","work","film","release","cinema","performances","collection","filmmakers","snakes","restoration","gem","glimpse","voice"].

Review highlights

  • "The restorations are strong, and it's a gift to have these early works available in such high quality."Thomas L.
  • "Top release with rare material."Sebastian V.
  • "Had seen Farhadi’s more recent films so this was an interesting watch of his earlier stuff."Michael A.

Reviews

There ggggrrrrreeeeaaaatttt!!!

"Great films that showcase Farhadi’s uncanny ability to turn domestic dilemmas into gripping, high-stakes cinema."

Kevin G. (5/5)

Dancing in the Dust

"I’d be remiss if I didn’t say I got this at a very good price during a great VS sale and I’m glad I did because I’ve been loving this set from a filmmaker I was not previously familiar with."

Keith M. (5/5)

Decently enjoyable.

"If these sort of films are your cup of tea and are looking for something new and different I would recommend it. Wasnt massively for me but you can see that they are good."

callum d. (3/5)

Two great films

"Great look into Iranian filming and culture"

Travis O. (5/5)

Fascinating Look at a Master’s Beginnings

"A compelling glimpse into Farhadi’s early voice as a filmmaker. Both films offer the emotional complexity and social nuance he’s known for, albeit with a more raw and unpolished style. The restorations are strong, and it's a gift to have these early works available in such high quality. Essential for fans of Iranian cinema and auteur completists."

Thomas L. (5/5)

Very Good

"I say, always look for different stories from different filmmakers. Easily one of the best things you can do is look for variety when building a collection. If you want something with a good style, look for this one."

Tres L. (4/5)

Pretty good early gems from a modern master

"A Separation and, to a certain extent, About Elly more or less introduced to the world the dramatic talents of Asghar Farhadi. His earlier films were quite hard to track down, until this release came about. Good, promising stuff, especially with Beautiful City. An essential purchase for fans of Iranian cinema."

TIGER Q. (5/5)

This felt really good to

"This felt really good to see Asghar Farhadi’s early work in such high quality. Definitely the way to go with this Blu-ray."

Alexis R. (5/5)

Great box set from a great filmmaker

"Asghar Farhadi is an excellent filmmaker. I jumped at the chance to pick up this collection of his work and it didn’t disappoint!"

Anthony F. (5/5)

Early works of one of the best in World Cinema

"A nice collection of early films from Farhadi. One of the best voices in world cinema. Definitely worth checking out."

Matt L. (4/5)

Q&A

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