Synopsis
The President is the story of a dictator of an imaginary country in the Caucasus, who is forced to escape following a coup d’état, and begins a journey to discover his country in the company of his five-year-old grandson. The two travel across the lands that the President once governed. Now, disguised as a street musician to avoid being recognized, the former dictator comes into contact with his people, which he comes to know from a different point of view.
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Cast
- Misha GomiashviliThe President
- Dachi OrvelashviliGrandson
- Ia SukhitashviliThe prostitute
- Zura BegalishviliHairdresser
- Lasha RamishviliGuard
- Soso KhvedelidzePrisonner
- Dato Beshitaishvili
- Eka Kakhiani
- Nuki Koshkelishvili
- Elene Bezarashvili
Recommendations
- 83
The Film Stage
At times it may be difficult to watch, and the plot does feel episodic, but it remains powerful, challenging filmmaking. - 83
Portland Oregonian
Inspired by uprisings in the former Soviet bloc as well as, more pointedly, the Arab Spring, Makhmalbaf serves up a surprisingly tense, sometimes poignant parable. It's good to have him back. - 83
IndieWire
Even though The President lacks some of the subtlety that made Makhmalbaf’s previous work transcendent, this film is still a worthy testament to a fiery storyteller determined to use the medium as a necessary means of subversion. - 80
CineVue
The President has an urgent relevance to all too many countries around the world, including those touched by the Arab Spring; a darkly comic and poignant portrait of an Ozymandian fall from grace and the subsequent damage that ensues. - 80
The Guardian
The President is a striking movie - and a bold and challenging change of directorial pace from Mohsen Makhmalbaf. - 70
The New York Times
The Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf (“A Moment of Innocence,” “Kandahar”) is not known for his kineticism, but The President — which he has suggested is his comment on the Arab Spring — has surprising urgency and sweep. - 60
The Hollywood Reporter
All this is portrayed in such elementary terms it could be the libretto of a 19th century operetta, or maybe a children’s film, were it not so disturbing. - 60
Time Out London
Makhmalbaf says he was inspired by the Arab Spring, and his film is pitched somewhere between allegory and satire.
