About Elly

Taraneh Alidoosti as Elly

I came across this interview with Golshifteh Farahani, who played Sepideh, the central character and author of the first lie:
http://www.roozvideo.com/video/289/ 
Here's an edited extract:

“...I was realising why we are good liars. From the beginning that we had to go to school we had to lie, from the beginning, beginning, beginning... most of the people from my country or maybe people from other countries – China – North Korea –  they are good liars too... they are under pressure because they have to lie for survival. And when there's no other choice. People [in democratic societies] really don't understand this point of –  when you know the truth how can you lie? – what is the reason for lying? – but I know I am a big liar – I lied a million times in my life from the first day I went to school it was two lives for us – one life at home – one life in the street – one life at school – so … when there is lying for survival you just lie and you do it in a perfect way so you can be good actors … In the beginning of the revolution they would show these bottles of whisky to the children and say “Whose father has one of these bottles?” and the poor children [raising arms] “My father” –  “My father”... and so when you are sending your children to school you tell them “Never say that we drink at home – Never say that we have these books at home – Never say that we dance”  ... So the child from the beginning he knows – this is one world – this is another world – that we have to lie”

After seeing that I can understand much better why Sepideh lied and how their lies quickly escalated into a tangled web.

But what's Tony Blair's excuse?

Audience feedback (rating 79%):

A	Oh what a tangled web?? An interesting comment on Iranian life & the dilemma of women's life
A	Could not be faulted for tension and suspense. Interesting insight into Iranian culture. Very good film. More like this please!
A	A very moving film – I particularly “liked” the cultural undertones -
A
A
A	Small white lies Spread and grow Painful to watch - but absorbing
A	Subtle and kept my interest
A	Top quality acting. Very real film about Iranian culture. I enjoyed it.
A	Very well acted and a poignant tale... Just shows how a small episode can become a tragedy for all concerned.
B	An engrossing film; exploration of how people react when tragedy occurs; well acted and directed; thankfully free of extraneous music.
B	A bit slow but enjoyable and thought provoking. Lies lead to lies.
B	Also good to see another culture we know so little about. More liberated than you expect but still about 'honour'
B
B
B	Very interesting but very tense!!
B	What a web they wove! Fascinating insight into Iranian relationships – men & women and 'honour'
B	A good storyline and well acted.
B	Left you guessing right to the end.
B
B	A bit long. Interesting how the attitudes changed.
B	Very moving story with very good cast. A worthwhile film.
B	Oh! What a tangled web we weave...
B	INSIGHT INTO IRANIAN LIFE. KEPT MY ATTENTION THROUGHOUT.
B	Well acted but very harrowing!
B	A very intriguing film = the crescendo of the drama is very good. Well acted. All sorts of emotions are portrayed – I mainly liked the description of the change in the group relationships
C	Slow start, then developing into a tangled story. An insight into a different way of life & community.
C	Culturally very interesting
C	And we're afraid of them building a nuke!
C	Very restrictive lifestyle choices. Especially for women
C	Well filmed but depressing.
C	Interesting insight into the restrictions of a different culture.
C	Well acted but found it quite slow though.
D	A bit slow, but quite deep meaning.
D
U	I'm sure the acting etc was to a very high standard but I can't honestly rate the film because I did not like it. If I had to pick one word it would be depressing.

Online:

Philip French in The Observer “Superbly acted, morally challenging, packed with legitimate suspense, this is film-making of a high order.”:
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/sep/16/about-elly-review-asghar-farhadi

The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw “a gripping psychological drama”:
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/sep/13/about-elly-review

Interview with Golshifteh Farahani, who played Sepideh:
http://www.roozvideo.com/video/289/

Rotten Tomatoes audience rating was 87%:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/about_elly/

IMDB 7.9 out of 10:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1360860