Veteran director Dariush Mehrjui confronts modern Iran in “Santouri the Music Man” through the story of a musician, a player of the santouri, a zither-like stringed instrument from Persian antiquity played with mallets, whose decline is hastened by drug abuse. Mehrhjui, 58, a student of Jean Renoir, may be best known for “The Cow” (1969) and “Hamoun” (1990), but the USC grad has been able to work relatively steadily. There’s a hint of societal critique, suggesting that his addiction may be as much society’s fault as his own. (“This is a ruthless, lying country that turns people into addicts.”) The performances lift “Santouri” above its familiar storytelling, with compelling faces and harrowing detail at its best moments. 106m. (Ray Pride) Facets Cinematheque
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Film Leaders of the Moment: Music Box Theatre and Music Box Films The Music Box Theatre on Southport has endured for going on ninety-four years. I'm talking with Bill Schopf, Lisa Holmes, Brian Andreotti and Ryan Oestreich. We're all gathered at Music Box Films, the sister distribution company to the venerable theater.
