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Chess of the Wind + The Crown Jewels of Iran (15) + Introduction

Masterpieces of the Iranian New Wave

,Cinema 1
A still from Chess of the Wind, showing a misty, orange-hued scene of a woman in a bath.

Two suppressed masterpieces, now restored to their true glory, not only showcase the use of colour in Iranian cinema but despite their visual splendour delve into the roots of decadence.

The Crown Jewels of Iran and Chess of the Wind explore the betrayal of the ruling class while foreshadowing the changes to come. In Ebrahim Golestan’s subversive and once-banned short documentary, The Crown Jewels, the narration sharply contrasts with sumptuous shots of precious jewels, condemning the decadence of past rulers.

Conversely, Mohammad Reza Aslani’s debut feature, Chess of the Wind, which vanished after its 1976 premiere at the Tehran Film Festival, plunges viewers into a labyrinth of corruption and decay within a household. Subtly foreshadowing the revolution, the film masterfully portrays the hidden inner struggles of Iranian society.

Tagged with: Cinema Masterpieces of the Iranian New Wave

Programme

The Crown Jewels of Iran (Ganjineha-ye gohar)

Ebrahim Golestan’s most visually dazzling documentary ostensibly showcases the precious jewels housed in the treasury of the Central Bank of Iran. However, it is, in reality, a bold critique of the treachery of Persian kings.

1965 Iran dir Ebrahim Golestan 15 mins, in Persian with English subtitles

Chess of the Wind (Shatranj-e baad) 

A mesmerizing exploration of House of Usher-like themes, the film is set in a decaying feudal mansion where the death of a noble family’s matriarch sparks a power struggle. Featuring a hauntingly eerie score by Sheyda Gharachedaghi—one of the most prolific female film composers of the 1960s and 1970s—it remains one of the major rediscovered gems of Iranian cinema in recent years.

1976 Iran dir Mohammad Reza Aslani 100 mins, in Persian with English subtitles

‘Audiences won’t have seen anything like [Chess of the Wind]‘
The Guardian

Cinema 1

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.