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Chess of the Wind

Play trailer Poster for Chess of the Wind 1976 1h 33m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Screened publicly just once before it was banned and then lost for decades, this rediscovered jewel of Iranian cinema reemerges to take its place as one of the most singular and astonishing works of the country's pre-revolution New Wave. A hypnotically stylized murder mystery awash in shivery period atmosphere, Chess of the Wind unfolds in an ornate, candlelit mansion where a web of greed, violence, and betrayal ensnares the heirs to a family fortune as they vie for control of their recently-deceased matriarch's estate. Melding the influences of European modernism, gothic horror, and classical Persian art, director Mohammad Reza Aslani crafts an exquisitely controlled mood piece that erupts in a stunningly subversive final act in which class conventions, gender roles, and even time itself are upended with shocking ferocity.
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Chess of the Wind

Critics Reviews

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David Mermelstein Wall Street Journal Happenstance alone saved this movie from oblivion, and how lucky we are for it—a moody tale of ugly family and class dynamics, reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe, complete with an utterly unexpected, numbing final shot. Sep 29, 2022 Full Review Godfrey Cheshire RogerEbert.com Aslani's vision is still breathtakingly distinctive, an incisively devastating social critique embedded in a complex tale of intrigue, greed, oppression, and murder. Rated: 4/4 Oct 29, 2021 Full Review Glenn Kenny New York Times Aslani pulls story threads together with an elegant moving camera that doesn't immediately give up all the secrets a scene may contain. Oct 28, 2021 Full Review Trevor Johnston Radio Times An ornate Tehran mansion hosts a fateful tussle for the spoils of a late matriarch in this Iranian melodrama. Rated: 4/5 Apr 21, 2022 Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills Comparatively short, sharp and disciplined... Nov 8, 2021 Full Review Panos Kotzathanasis Asian Movie Pulse We are quite lucky that "Chess Game of the Wind" eventually reemerged, not just due to its immense quality as a movie, but also as a testament to the progressiveness of the pro-Revolution Iranian cinema. Dec 20, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alec B A beautifully shot mystery filled with erotic energy (no wonder why it was banned). Also, the story behind the loss and then rediscovery of this movie is pretty incredible. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/08/25 Full Review Soheil H The visually captivating frames and attention to details and the symbolism are IMPRESSIVE and important! Pay close attention to repeated scenes and analyze lighting, camera work, and scene arrangement specifically the last scene. This film stands out for its exceptional acting, direction, and visual elements, especially in depicting 'Fakhri Khorvash' as a compelling, ailing yet dynamic princess Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/22/23 Full Review Yellowfur D #siff—8 4.5/5 Totally exceeded expectations. The exquisite and unique scenery gives a refreshing taste, and the lens language often cuts from close-ups of hands to panoramic shots to emphasize the unique style. It refuses to detail the story and gives the initiative to the audience. Really like. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/27/23 Full Review Audience Member A masterpiece with beautiful cinematography. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Chess of the Wind

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Cast & Crew

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Mohammad Reza Aslani

Director

Fakhri Khorvash

Actor

Mohamad Ali Keshavarz

Actor

Akbar Zanjanpour

Actor

Shohreh Aghdashloo

Actor

Shahram Golchin

Actor

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Chess of the Wind

The Chess of the Wind (1976) The Chess of the Wind (1976) The Chess of the Wind (1976) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Screened publicly just once before it was banned and then lost for decades, this rediscovered jewel of Iranian cinema reemerges to take its place as one of the most singular and astonishing works of the country's pre-revolution New Wave. A hypnotically stylized murder mystery awash in shivery period atmosphere, Chess of the Wind unfolds in an ornate, candlelit mansion where a web of greed, violence, and betrayal ensnares the heirs to a family fortune as they vie for control of their recently-deceased matriarch's estate. Melding the influences of European modernism, gothic horror, and classical Persian art, director Mohammad Reza Aslani crafts an exquisitely controlled mood piece that erupts in a stunningly subversive final act in which class conventions, gender roles, and even time itself are upended with shocking ferocity.
Director
Mohammad Reza Aslani
Producer
Bahman Farmanara
Screenwriter
Mohammad Reza Aslani
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Persian
Runtime
1h 33m
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