This is Not a Film

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Synopsis

Daily life is transformed into both art and political commentary in this compelling Iranian video diary that celebrates creativity and courage. Shot partly on an iPhone and smuggled out of the country on a USB stick hidden in a cake, it is acclaimed director Jafar Panahi's way of protesting against tyranny and censorship after he received a six-year prison term and a 20-year filmmaking ban for his outspoken views. Under house arrest in the capital Tehran while appealing the sentence, Panahi is captured going about his day, as he combines humorously mundane activities with poignant reflections on intellectual freedom, his career, and the nature of movies. Consequently, even the apparently trivial takes on new, deeper meaning, resulting in an inspirational testament to the power of the artistic spirit.