So, there’s not a lot of joy in the world right now. As someone who loves writing and talking about movies and video games, doing so frankly feels a little superfluous at this moment in time. However, art is important. Art has always been important. It’s why it’s often the second pillar of expression that’s been historically attacked by fascist regimes after traditional media, because art has the power to change and give a voice to the voiceless. As such, I would like to take a moment today to discuss a short film that I watched some time ago, which I believe is worth mentioning today.   

The House is Black, written and directed by Iranian poet and feminist activist Forugh Farrokhzad, is a documentary that tells the story of the lives of those living in a leper colony. It’s an incredibly raw look into the daily happenings of these people living on the fringes of their society, and Farrokhzad doesn’t shy away from showing them with a somewhat unnerving honesty. Yet, through this honest lens, you see the compassion with which she wields the camera. 

There’s a gentleness, a kindness, in her direction. Her use of poetry and music is very well done, showcasing the beauty of these people who are seen laughing, playing, and simply living their lives. There’s a wonderful balancing act in her directorial sensibilities that doesn’t sway into either sensationalization or romanticization of this community, which so many directors could easily fall into, given the subject matter of the film. No, rather, she’s just showing them for who they are—people. 

Ebrahim Golestan, the film’s producer, says pretty blatantly in the film’s opening that, “On this screen will appear images of ugliness, a vision of pain no caring human being should ignore.” And that quote is so powerful and so relevant to everything that’s happening in the world today. Farrokhzad is widely known as the “mother” of the Iranian New Wave of cinema, and it’s beautiful how her work continues to resonate to this day. If you have 20 minutes, please watch this film.