Iron Island(HKAFF 2019)

Fast-paced and unmistakably allegorical, Mohammad Rasoulof’s second feature saw tremendous improvement in the director’s command of film language and technique. Standing in for the nation of Iran, the “Iron Island” is a derelict oil tanker in the Persian Gulf populated by minority Sunni Arabs isolated from the masses ashore. Charismatic Captain Nemat (veteran actor Ali Nasirian) serves as the tanker’s self-appointed autocratic leader, who rules his floating fiefdom with benevolence, cunning and unwavering authority. A quarantined community like this inevitably breeds conflict and discontent, but as reality closes in, the Captain can only double down on his absolute power, the well-being of his people be damned.