Chess of the Wind

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Chess of the Wind

1976

1h 33m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

100%

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8 Reviews

85%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Screened publicly just once before it was banned and then lost for decades, this rediscovered jewel of Iranian cinema reemerges to take its place as one of the most singular and astonishing works of the country's pre-revolution New Wave. A hypnotically stylized murder mystery awash in shivery period atmosphere, Chess of the Wind unfolds in an ornate, candlelit mansion where a web of greed, violence, and betrayal ensnares the heirs to a family fortune as they vie for control of their recently-deceased matriarch's estate. Melding the influences of European modernism, gothic horror, and classical Persian art, director Mohammad Reza Aslani crafts an exquisitely controlled mood piece that erupts in a stunningly subversive final act in which class conventions, gender roles, and even time itself are upended with shocking ferocity.

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David Mermelstein

Wall Street Journal

Happenstance alone saved this movie from oblivion, and how lucky we are for it—a moody tale of ugly family and class dynamics, reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe, complete with an utterly unexpected, numbing final shot.

Sep 29, 2022

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Godfrey Cheshire

RogerEbert.com

Aslani's vision is still breathtakingly distinctive, an incisively devastating social critique embedded in a complex tale of intrigue, greed, oppression, and murder.

Rated: 4/4

Oct 29, 2021

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Glenn Kenny

New York Times

Aslani pulls story threads together with an elegant moving camera that doesn't immediately give up all the secrets a scene may contain.

Oct 28, 2021

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Trevor Johnston

Radio Times

An ornate Tehran mansion hosts a fateful tussle for the spoils of a late matriarch in this Iranian melodrama.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 21, 2022

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Comparatively short, sharp and disciplined...

Nov 8, 2021

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Panos Kotzathanasis

Asian Movie Pulse

We are quite lucky that "Chess Game of the Wind" eventually reemerged, not just due to its immense quality as a movie, but also as a testament to the progressiveness of the pro-Revolution Iranian cinema.

Dec 20, 2020

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Gail TheWriterStuff J

Slow moving buy compelling. It was a pleasure to see Shohreh Aghdashloo so young. The ending took me by surprise.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

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Alec B

A beautifully shot mystery filled with erotic energy (no wonder why it was banned). Also, the story behind the loss and then rediscovery of this movie is pretty incredible.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/08/25

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Soheil H

The visually captivating frames and attention to details and the symbolism are IMPRESSIVE and important! Pay close attention to repeated scenes and analyze lighting, camera work, and scene arrangement specifically the last scene. This film stands out for its exceptional acting, direction, and visual elements, especially in depicting 'Fakhri Khorvash' as a compelling, ailing yet dynamic princess

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

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Yellowfur D

#siff—8 4.5/5 Totally exceeded expectations. The exquisite and unique scenery gives a refreshing taste, and the lens language often cuts from close-ups of hands to panoramic shots to emphasize the unique style. It refuses to detail the story and gives the initiative to the audience. Really like.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/27/23

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Audience Member

A masterpiece with beautiful cinematography.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Mohammad Reza Aslani

Director

Fakhri Khorvash

Actor

Mohamad Ali Keshavarz

Actor

Akbar Zanjanpour

Actor

Shohreh Aghdashloo

Actor

Shahram Golchin

Actor

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Synopsis

Screened publicly just once before it was banned and then lost for decades, this rediscovered jewel of Iranian cinema reemerges to take its place as one of the most singular and astonishing works of the country's pre-revolution New Wave. A hypnotically stylized murder mystery awash in shivery period atmosphere, Chess of the Wind unfolds in an ornate, candlelit mansion where a web of greed, violence, and betrayal ensnares the heirs to a family fortune as they vie for control of their recently-deceased matriarch's estate. Melding the influences of European modernism, gothic horror, and classical Persian art, director Mohammad Reza Aslani crafts an exquisitely controlled mood piece that erupts in a stunningly subversive final act in which class conventions, gender roles, and even time itself are upended with shocking ferocity.

Director: Mohammad Reza Aslani
Producer: Bahman Farmanara
Screenwriter: Mohammad Reza Aslani
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Persian
Runtime: 1h 33m

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