The Past (2013)

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The Past (2013) – A. Farhadi

Farhadi’s latest film, set in France and in French, veers directly into Dardennes Brothers territory (although without the physical camera style).  In fact, this film may portray an even more complicated set of moral questions than the films of the famous Belgians, and Farhadi adds an extra layer of complexity by placing all of the moral decisions in the past and showing us only the fallout. Each of the characters is compromised, without a full grasp on the truth (whatever that is), and the future is uncertain for their relationships.  Briefly, the plot is as follows:  Ahmad returns to France from Iran to sign the final divorce paperwork with his ex, Marie, which brings him back into contact with her two kids as well as with her new lover, Samir, and his son.  Her new lover’s wife is in a coma and she may or may not die (they are looking for signs of responsiveness).  The plot unfolds from there – in fact, it just keeps unfolding and unfolding, just as life does.  Ahmad is clearly revisiting his past (having left France and Marie four years earlier) but Farhadi’s reflections on the past’s ability to influence us is much deeper than just showing us this unwelcome/nostalgic intrusion.   Indeed, we are all living with the past even if we are trying to live in the present or plan for the future – it’s just that sometimes it comes to envelop or constrain us.