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Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine

Released Jun 9, 2001 1h 33m Drama List
72% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 71% Audience Score 250+ Ratings Bahman Farjami (Bahman Farmanara) is a 55-year-old filmmaker in Iran who has been banned from making films for over 20 years by the Post-Revolutionary Censor Board (his previous film to this was made in 1978). As other Iranian filmmakers die, and he considers his own heart condition a sign that he may soon follow, Farjami decides to film his own funeral. This new quest finds him researching funeral rites, but it also brings him into jeopardy. Read More Read Less
Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine

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Critics Consensus

Hitting upon universal themes, this meditation on death is both poignant and wryly humorous.

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Critics Reviews

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Jane Sumner Dallas Morning News Somber and haunting with an undertow of mordant wit, Mr. Farmanara's comeback finds its morning in life and nature. Rated: B Apr 25, 2002 Full Review Robert K. Elder Chicago Tribune The director's obsession with death sometimes seems overwrought and self-flagellating. Sep 6, 2001 Full Review Adam Nayman eye WEEKLY By turns funny, moving and surreal, the film is difficult to classify -- with its personal content and screwball comedy, it just might be Iran's answer to Woody Allen. Rated: 4/5 Aug 27, 2001 Full Review Enrique Fernandez South Florida Sun-Sentinel Iranian film continues to enchant viewers hungry for a gimmick-free yet imaginative approach to the medium. Rated: 3/4 Aug 18, 2021 Full Review Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review Rated: 3/5 Aug 7, 2008 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Aug 11, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (6) audience reviews
Audience Member (*** 1/2): Thumbs Up Funny and well-written. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member By turns, funny and tragic, this is an idiosyncratic look at life, aging and death. Beautifully honest account, intelligent and full of heart and truth Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Funny that a film/story so focused on death is actually about life and the small joys it brings. Initially, it felt like Farmanara was being overly self-indulgent in his storytelling (and casting himself as lead), but now I see how it could be difficult finding anyone else to fill that role. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Sad, bit Fellini-esque. An Iranian director searches for the meaning of life in the meaning of death. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is really melancholy and beautiful. It was the first Iranian movie I ever saw and it's still the only one I've seen to date... which is a shame. I had never wanted to learn Farsi or go to Iran before I saw this movie... and this movie exposed me to both the country and the language and, long story short, it made me want to get in touch with that aspect of myself. Cheesy of me to say, but true, and it's a good movie. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Saw this in an Iranian film class and liked it, and enjoyed it even more when I got it from Netflix. They describe Farmanara as an Iranian Woody Allen, which I don't think is particularly apt (it is very a very dark film). There are a few funny moments, interesting symbolism, and great music. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine

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Photos

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Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine

Bahman Farmanji (Bahman Farmanara) imagines himself in the midst of his own funeral. A desperate woman (Roya Nonahali) asks Bahman Farmanji (Bahman Farmanara) for a ride. Bahman Farmanji (Bahman Farmanara) breaks the law and gives a desparate woman (Roya Nonahali) a ride. Bahman Farmanji (Bahman Farmanara) kisses the hand of his invalid mother (Maliheh Nazari) Bahman Farmanji (Bahman Farmanara) talks with his doctor/lawyer (Reza Kiaman) Bahman Farmanji (Bahman Farmanara) sitting at his desk. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Bahman Farjami (Bahman Farmanara) is a 55-year-old filmmaker in Iran who has been banned from making films for over 20 years by the Post-Revolutionary Censor Board (his previous film to this was made in 1978). As other Iranian filmmakers die, and he considers his own heart condition a sign that he may soon follow, Farjami decides to film his own funeral. This new quest finds him researching funeral rites, but it also brings him into jeopardy.
Director
Bahman Farmanara
Producer
Morteza Shayesteh
Screenwriter
Bahman Farmanara
Distributor
New Yorker Films
Production Co
Hedayat Film
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Persian
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 9, 2001, Wide
Release Date (DVD)
Mar 1, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA)
$66.1K
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)