Letters in the Wind

A fascinating history lies behind Iranian filmmaker Ali-Reza Amini's LETTERS IN THE WIND. The movie, which shines a light on life inside an Iranian military camp, has rarely been seen outside of Amini's native country due to an injunction placed on it by authorities. Nevertheless, it is presented here, and offers plenty of food for thought, largely due to the director's use of a cinema verite style. Focusing on a young male who trains at the camp, Ali-Reza paints a disturbing picture of isolation and solitude as the man and his colleagues desperately cling to a tape recording of a female voice. A moving, thoughtful piece, LETTERS IN THE WIND offers a chilling portrait of the loneliness these trainee soldiers have inflicted on them as they forcibly undertake the tough Iranian military service program.