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Review Uploaded
09/13/02

Date Released: 08/23/2002
Rated: G
Length: 105 minutes
Produced by: Marco Muller, Babak Payami
Directed by: Babak Payami
Cast: Nassim Abdi, Cyrus Ab
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics

Frank's film tip: One should gladly cast their vote for the quirky and studious Iranian drama "Secret Ballot"

There is something that is so meditative and lyrical about writer-director Babak Payami's boldly quirky Iranian drama 'Secret Ballot'. As a filmmaker, Payami offers the simplistic and quiet anticipation of his narrative about a desolate community's first-time privilege to partake in a free government election. Although from a visual standpoint Payami's quaint and calming film is transfixing in its unassuming nature, the pacing of the story feels rather slow therefore rendering the movie as borderline monotonous at times. Still, there's a hint of suspense in 'Secret Ballot' that's methodical in its cleverness. Because these proceedings are so new and unfamiliar to the inquisitive citizens residing on this Iranian coastal island, the film revels in carrying out this drawn-out process by introducing us to the colorful folks who are reluctantly part of this liberating yet peculiar happening. No doubt that Payami is brimming with confidence when delivering this formidable albeit plodding pleasurable gem. For the most part, 'Secret Ballot' is a charming and evoking little ditty that manages to show the gentle and humane side of Middle Eastern world politics being introduced to its weary and bewildered people.

Much like waking up unexpectedly to a hearty breakfast to satisfy an otherwise empty tummy, a stationed soldier (Cyrus Ab) finds that scratching his head in disbelief is the true order for this special day he's about to endure. First, a mysterious container is being parachuted from the sky as it falls to the crusty and dusty earth below. Moments later, an equally mysterious black-shrouded diminutive woman (Nassim Abdi) arrives on the beach. Of course all this adds to the soldier's constant curiosity and amazement. And then wham?the news is revealed! As it turns out, the air-bound box and the woman do have a common connection. The connection: she's an elections agent sent by the government officials to ensure that people cast their votes in an impromptu election via the secret ballot box. And to make sure that this procedure is not interfered with, the armed soldier is ordered to accompany the veiled voting agent around the area in an effort to secure a safe and reliable election result.

The travels around the island prove to be an eye-opening experience for the precipitous pair. Predictably, the duo see things differently from a political perspective. Hence, their personalities and ideologies eventually clash a bit. The soldier is a staunch conservative whose heart and soul bleeds for the old Iran from yesteryear. The woman, on the other hand, is inclined to her liberal leanings and welcomes a more progressive and open-ended change to the country. Also interesting is witnessing the dichotomy involving the many voters the twosome encounter and what their political climate is all about in reference to what the tandem's personal philosophies are.

'Secret Ballot' chugs along in what amounts to seem like an endless dance because the music just won't stop playing. But what's important is Payami's rhythmic flow that undermines the slew of long-winded scenes. The film is stagy and gently chaotic in that the director takes his sweet time to set up his protagonists' journey. Payami intentionally plays with time because that's all his characters have to deal with?the duration of time and the sudden changes that confronts the tolerance of its people's outlook. When the intimate bumpy jeep ride across the desert bounds these two politically-opposed personalities, Payami makes the most of these moments by staging periods of awkward silence and sometimes comical giddiness between the travelers. Strangely enough, he is indirectly suggesting that maybe there's a common bond amongst a glorified culture that should be more unified despite the inner turmoil that undercuts what is supposed to be self-explanatory Middle Eastern tradition. The dynamics are as explosive as they are obvious in terms of gender (where women are notoriously subservient in this male-dominated society), economics, and class power within Iran's restrictive boundaries. Intriguingly enough, Payami's fable is a savvy tease because although the attempts at having these people vote their conscience through an ambiguous election appears admirable and progressive, one is left wondering how much of this concept is really flexible in such a hostile surrounding.

'Secret Ballot' is an odd yet convincingly captivating showcase that dares to comment on the contemporary state of Iranian society and its forward progression. Theoretically, Payami's unconventional political commentary is absurd and noticeably flawed. After all, the mere thought of the majority of these voters who aren't informed well enough to question the prospects of a vaguely "forced" election seems categorically illogical. But hey, that's the warped and whimsical appeal to this tug-of-war, issue-oriented sleepy political drama. In this transitional universe that is the repressed and cynical country of Iran, there's a perverse notion to boldly ask out loud: "does my vote really count?"

Frank rates this film: stars