DIRECTOR: Behrouz Sebt Rasoul
STARRING: Diman Zandi, Meghdad Eslami, Alireza Ostadi
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 25 minutes
LANGUAGE: Farsi
Melody teaches music at a children cancer centre for thirty children, who are going to have a party at the end of autumn. Melody is to compose a piece using the sounds of thirty different birds.
***
This is Behrouz Sebt Rasoul's second feature film. Melody premiered internationally at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on November 24, 2023. The film has garnered significant recognition on the international stage, participating in several prestigious film festivals including the 21st Chennai International Film Festival, the 42nd Fajr International Film Festival in Iran and the 24th Keswick Film Festival. At the 23rd Imagine India Film Festival in Madrid, Spain, the film achieved remarkable success, winning several awards including Best Director of Photography, Best Music Design, and Best Original Music. Additionally, it received a nomination for Best Actress and Best Sound Design at the same festival. The film was chosen as Tajikistan's entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards; however, it did not make the final list due to a late submission. In contrast, the film was submitted on time for the 97th Academy Awards. Dreamlab Films, the France-based international distributor under Iranian film expert Nasrin Mirshab, is handling the international sales and distribution of Melody.
The Union of Cinematographers of Tajikistan is an organization appointed by AMPAS to select the Tajikistan's submission for consideration for the International Feature Film Award at the Oscars. Behrouz Sebt Rasoul confirmed that the submission was made on time for the 97th Academy Awards.
The film is produced by Sebt Rasoul’s Tehran-based Nama Film Company in collaboration with the state-owned Tajikistan broadcaster Safina.
Melody is a drama and it was filmed outside of Tehran, Iran.
To check out all previous submissions for Tajikistan, click HERE.
STARRING: Diman Zandi, Meghdad Eslami, Alireza Ostadi
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 25 minutes
LANGUAGE: Farsi
Melody teaches music at a children cancer centre for thirty children, who are going to have a party at the end of autumn. Melody is to compose a piece using the sounds of thirty different birds.
***
This is Behrouz Sebt Rasoul's second feature film. Melody premiered internationally at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on November 24, 2023. The film has garnered significant recognition on the international stage, participating in several prestigious film festivals including the 21st Chennai International Film Festival, the 42nd Fajr International Film Festival in Iran and the 24th Keswick Film Festival. At the 23rd Imagine India Film Festival in Madrid, Spain, the film achieved remarkable success, winning several awards including Best Director of Photography, Best Music Design, and Best Original Music. Additionally, it received a nomination for Best Actress and Best Sound Design at the same festival. The film was chosen as Tajikistan's entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards; however, it did not make the final list due to a late submission. In contrast, the film was submitted on time for the 97th Academy Awards. Dreamlab Films, the France-based international distributor under Iranian film expert Nasrin Mirshab, is handling the international sales and distribution of Melody.
The Union of Cinematographers of Tajikistan is an organization appointed by AMPAS to select the Tajikistan's submission for consideration for the International Feature Film Award at the Oscars. Behrouz Sebt Rasoul confirmed that the submission was made on time for the 97th Academy Awards.
The film is produced by Sebt Rasoul’s Tehran-based Nama Film Company in collaboration with the state-owned Tajikistan broadcaster Safina.
Melody is a drama and it was filmed outside of Tehran, Iran.
To check out all previous submissions for Tajikistan, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“I must go where the birds are free.”
Behrouz Sebt Rasoul's Melody is a stunning film from Tajikistan that delivers a heartfelt, peaceful meditation on the connection between humans and nature. The film's premise, centered on a teacher named Melody tasked with composing a musical piece using the songs of thirty different birds, is simple yet profoundly moving. Set against the backdrop of a care center for children with cancer, the story explores the transformative power of nature as Melody embarks on a journey to capture the elusive sounds of the birds. Through this quest, the film beautifully portrays themes of healing, self-discovery, and the intricate bond between humanity and the natural world.
The film is remarkably tender in its portrayal of Melody's mission, not only to complete the composition but also to reconnect with her past. As she returns to her home village, the dynamic between Melody and her mute caretaker, Mango, offers an intimate look at their relationship and shared history. Their efforts to record the birds together evoke a quiet but powerful sense of purpose. The characters' silent communication mirrors the quiet beauty of the natural world they seek to capture, emphasizing that understanding often transcends words. The use of music as both a literal and metaphorical element grounds the story, symbolizing how nature and art can unite to inspire hope and healing.
What makes Melody so captivating is its ability to immerse viewers in the serene landscape of Melody's village, where nature takes center stage. The cinematography captures the vast beauty of the environment, with lush forests and tranquil scenes of birds in flight, inviting the audience to pause and appreciate the natural world. Rasoul’s direction skillfully allows these quiet moments to breathe, giving us a sense of peace and reflection that mirrors Melody’s own internal journey. As the film progresses, we become more attuned to the sounds of the birds, much like Melody herself, and the score seamlessly weaves these sounds into the heart of the narrative.
The film’s deeper message about our need to reconnect with nature resonates throughout. As Melody seeks out an old villager for guidance in finding the remaining birds, the story takes on an almost spiritual quality. The villagers represent wisdom, patience, and a way of life that values simplicity and harmony with the world around them. Melody’s journey is not just about completing her task but learning to listen to the world more deeply, and in doing so, she transforms as a person. The film gently reminds us that to truly understand nature, we must first humble ourselves and find harmony with it.
In Melody, Behrouz Sebt Rasoul delivers a confident and introspective film that invites viewers to slow down and reconnect with the world around them. Its simple yet profound story, combined with its mesmerizing visuals and subtle performances, creates a cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Melody is a beautiful reflection on the importance of nature, art, and the quiet spaces within ourselves where true healing and growth occur. Rasoul has crafted a film that feels effortless, leaving us with the powerful reminder that, like Melody, we too can find harmony in the most unexpected places.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“I must go where the birds are free.”
Behrouz Sebt Rasoul's Melody is a stunning film from Tajikistan that delivers a heartfelt, peaceful meditation on the connection between humans and nature. The film's premise, centered on a teacher named Melody tasked with composing a musical piece using the songs of thirty different birds, is simple yet profoundly moving. Set against the backdrop of a care center for children with cancer, the story explores the transformative power of nature as Melody embarks on a journey to capture the elusive sounds of the birds. Through this quest, the film beautifully portrays themes of healing, self-discovery, and the intricate bond between humanity and the natural world.
The film is remarkably tender in its portrayal of Melody's mission, not only to complete the composition but also to reconnect with her past. As she returns to her home village, the dynamic between Melody and her mute caretaker, Mango, offers an intimate look at their relationship and shared history. Their efforts to record the birds together evoke a quiet but powerful sense of purpose. The characters' silent communication mirrors the quiet beauty of the natural world they seek to capture, emphasizing that understanding often transcends words. The use of music as both a literal and metaphorical element grounds the story, symbolizing how nature and art can unite to inspire hope and healing.
What makes Melody so captivating is its ability to immerse viewers in the serene landscape of Melody's village, where nature takes center stage. The cinematography captures the vast beauty of the environment, with lush forests and tranquil scenes of birds in flight, inviting the audience to pause and appreciate the natural world. Rasoul’s direction skillfully allows these quiet moments to breathe, giving us a sense of peace and reflection that mirrors Melody’s own internal journey. As the film progresses, we become more attuned to the sounds of the birds, much like Melody herself, and the score seamlessly weaves these sounds into the heart of the narrative.
The film’s deeper message about our need to reconnect with nature resonates throughout. As Melody seeks out an old villager for guidance in finding the remaining birds, the story takes on an almost spiritual quality. The villagers represent wisdom, patience, and a way of life that values simplicity and harmony with the world around them. Melody’s journey is not just about completing her task but learning to listen to the world more deeply, and in doing so, she transforms as a person. The film gently reminds us that to truly understand nature, we must first humble ourselves and find harmony with it.
In Melody, Behrouz Sebt Rasoul delivers a confident and introspective film that invites viewers to slow down and reconnect with the world around them. Its simple yet profound story, combined with its mesmerizing visuals and subtle performances, creates a cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Melody is a beautiful reflection on the importance of nature, art, and the quiet spaces within ourselves where true healing and growth occur. Rasoul has crafted a film that feels effortless, leaving us with the powerful reminder that, like Melody, we too can find harmony in the most unexpected places.
