#semi-documentary

T-Men (1947), dir. Anthony Mann

“Blackboards” by Samira Makhmalbaf (2000)

A year’s favorites review

In a land where children are used as mules to carry stolen goods across the border, a group of teachers tries to find pupils. But all the inhabitants of these mountain villages refuse, saying that learning to write and to read is useless A seemingly extremely simple movie full of deep resonances “The stripped-down dramatic constructs, austere imagery and abstract…

“Blackboards” by Samira Makhmalbaf (2000)

Hommage to Hana and Samira Makhmalbaf

(and to Mohsen Makhmalbaf and Marziyeh Meshkini)

In a land where children are used as mules to carry stolen goods across the border, a group of teachers tries to find pupils. But all the inhabitants of these mountain villages refuse, saying that learning to write and to read is useless A seemingly extremely simple movie full of deep resonances “The…