Circumstance

There’s a tendency in the queer community to talk about how queer people die in movies a lot and how that’s sad and upsetting. And it is. But Circumstance is here to prove that you don’t need your queer characters to die in order for your movie to be sad and upsetting.

Circumstance takes place in Iran. It follows Shireen and her friend and lover Atafeh. Atefah is from a rich family while Shireen is an orphan. Together, the girls engage in all the staples of youth culture including drugs and partying as well as their sexual relationship. Shireen often speaks of running away though Atefah never takes it seriously. However, their untouchable, carefree world comes to an end when they are caught by the police. In order to avoid more serious prosecutions, Shireen, who does not have the protection of the rich family must marry Atefah’s brother Mehran. Mehran has recently found his Muslim faith again after struggling with addiction.

The thing I really liked about Circumstance was its admittedly very dark take on the coming-of-age genre. During the run time, Atafeh and Shireen go from a place of carefree youth to experiencing adult consequences. The first half of Circumstance shows Atafeh and Shireen engaging in youth culture without care. They danced, they drank and they had sex without consequence and seemingly without the knowledge that serious consequences existed. However, adult consequences start to creep in. The untouchable, carefree attitude that they and so many people their age have is shattered by real life. The turning point is their arrest. After this, Atafeh and Shireen are adults and they have adult problems. Gone are the youthful parties and carefree days and in their place is the depressing and oppressing yoke of adulthood.

Circumstance can feel uneven because of this divide between its carefree beginning and very heavy second part. There are serious issues that are brought up in the second half of the movie that aren’t very well introduced in the first part of the film. Instead, Circumstance introduces itself with a happy focus on Atefah and Shireen’s relationship and the youth culture of Iran. Personally, I think this works. It puts us in the character’s headspace of being blissfully unaware or uncaring of issues only to have them becomes suddenly very relevant in their lives. However, I understand that this take on the movie may not be universal. I do think it’s totally valid to wish for a bit earlier set up of some of the conflicts.

The other theme in Circumstance that intrigued me was its depiction of privilege, especially as it relates to class. Atefah and Shireen are similar in so many ways. But as they begin to experience consequences, it becomes apparent how differently they can experience the world. Constantly Atefah is able to get out of situations because her parents are rich. Shireen does not have this privilege. However, while the class difference moves the plot forward, it’s never really discussed let alone deconstructed. It’s just taken as a given. It’s also just heavily depressing. Having the film end with Atefah awarded a hopeful future because she could pay for it while Shireen, who had always been the one to have such dreams for her future has one that seems so bleak is hard to watch. Realism or not, I am frustrated by an ending that gives its privileged character a chance for a happy ending while its most vulnerable character is left in the lurch.

The most troubling aspect of the film was Atefah’s brother Mehran. Mehran rediscovers his faith which allows him to find his way back from being a drug addict. This is the narrative the first half of the film sets out. His faith is portrayed as a good thing. In the second half though, Mehran becomes the villain of the piece and a large part of that is his faith. He goes from being a sympathetic and interesting secondary character to suddenly an antagonist. He is increasingly controlling and abusive towards Shireen. I’m troubled by this depiction. Not only did his character do something of a 180 for the sake of plot but his antagonism seems rooted in his faith. Because of this, I would not say Circumstance is not a positive depiction of the Muslim faith. Mehran’s character suggests that being Muslim is, if nothing else, a belief that allows him to rationalize his villainous activities.

Circumstance is an incredibly difficult film to watch but it is certainly effective. There is a great mount of complexity and depth to Circumstance. The directing, writing and acting are all good. All of this came together to make a film that’s very good but perhaps not the most enjoyable sit. I absolutely think Circumstance is worth a watch but be prepared to feel hollow and hopeless after it’s over.

Overall rating: 8.2/10

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