A Man of Integrity

A Man of Integrity is a gripping tale, told with the sturdy hand of one of Iran’s leading directors. Once again Mohammad Rasoulof depicts the fate of individuals living under totalitarian rule, and does so with elegant precision and great passion. Reza, the film’s protagonist, lives with his wife and young son in rural Northern Iran, after having had a falling-out with his previous employer in Teheran. He is trying to live a peaceful life, but soon discovers that someone is trying to force him off his farm. A faceless corporation, simply referred to by the inhabitants of the small town as “The Company”, rules the town. Reza soon learns the consequences of trying to fight back against the Big Machine.

A central premise emerges early in the film: You’re either with the oppressor, or the oppressed. Reza’s stubbornness is both inspiring and heartbreaking, and makes us question how much we would put up with ourselves in the name of justice. Andreas Veie-Rosvoll

Mohammad Rasoulof (b. 1973) is one of Iran's leading contemporary filmmakers. Trained as a sociologist, he went on to study film editing at the Soreeh University and directed a number of short films in the 1990s. He made his first feature film Twilight in 2002, and has later directed another six features. His three most recent films have all been awarded at the Cannes film festival.