The President

The President, a 2014 film directed by the Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf, is an engaging amalgam of political drama and social commentary. It stars Mikheil Gomiashvili, Dachi Orvelashvili, and Ia Sukhitashvili in key roles. Set in an unnamed country, the film explores the aftermath of a revolution that brings the downfall of a dictator and the ramifications it has on his life and country.

Mikheil Gomiashvili plays the eponymous President, a figure of absolute authority and power. At the beginning of the film, the President lives a life lavished with opulence and is completely detached from the reality of his people's life who are severely oppressed. The President gives his grandson (played by Dachi Orvelashvili) a firsthand lesson about the extent of his power, demonstrating how he can turn the city lights on and off with a simple phone call, leaving the child in awe.

However, the plot takes a drastic turn when a coup against the President breaks out and he is overthrown. This forces the erstwhile ruler to face an abrupt and brutal transition from an all-powerful dictator to a common fugitive on the run from those who are now empowered by the revolution.

The President and his young grandson then embark on a perilous journey across their war-ravaged country, disguised as a street musician and his accompanying acolyte. This journey exposes them to the harsh realities of their homeland which they had been previously completely insulated from.

As the narrative progresses, the erstwhile leader comes face-to-face with the socio-political dereliction created by his harsh regime, instigating a huge transformation within him. Gomiashvili delivers a potent and profound performance as the fallen dictator, embodying a man who begins to question his past actions, grapples with guilt and remorse, and seeks redemption while attempting to protect his innocent grandson from the cruel world they are now navigating.

Ia Sukhitashvili, who plays the role of the wife and mother stayed back at the palace when the President and grandson had to run, adds another layer to the narrative. Her sub-plot contributes to the depiction of the inner-workings of the fallen regime and the aftermath of the revolution from a different perspective.

Makhmalbaf allows his narrative to delve deep into the intricate maze of power dynamics, exploring the themes of corruption, political upheaval, human frailty, and redemption. Each frame of the film is purposefully shot, capturing the inevitable chaos and devastation that unfolds in a society post-revolution. However, amidst the bleakness, Makhmalbaf infuses the story with the potential for transformation and the resilience of humanity, resulting in a film that is as much a political critique as it is an ode to human perseverance.

Moreover, the film's cinematography and aesthetic palette take center stage, breathing life into the narrative. The stark contrast between the plush interiors of the presidential palace and the decrepit landscapes of the war-torn country serves as a visual metaphor for the glaring inequities and chaos of a dictatorial regime.

The film's poignant storyline is complemented by a skillfully-crafted screenplay, nuanced performances, and a compelling background score, drawing the audience into a world marked by desperation and hope, turmoil and transformation, and power and its demise.

In the end, The President is an allegorical tale of power, consequence, and redemption. It is a compelling portrayal of a nation in flux and a man in crisis—a civilized account of one of the harshest human conditions.

Despite its bleak subject matter, The President shines due to its honest storytelling, well-etched characters, and the delicate handling of a political narrative that prompts the audience to reflect on broader themes of humanity and morality.

By putting a human face to the often demonized figure of the autocratic ruler, it explores the dichotomous nature of power - its intoxicating allure, as well as its capacity to inflict pain and alienation; and delves deep into the dynamics of societal hierarchy, chaos, and eventual rectification in the aftermath of drastic political upheaval. Undoubtedly, The President is a powerful cinematic experience that incites its viewers to ponder, long after the film has concluded.