The President

This is a satirical fable about dictatorship and revolution from the Iranian master Mohsen Makhmalbaf. The film follows a fictional president in a made up country, immediately after a revolution has erupted. Being shot in Georgia, the links to eastern European dictators are apparent.
However, The President has a more universal story to tell. Rather than telling a story about the Arab spring, or the transitions in Latin-America or eastern Europe, The President focuses on the common challenges that all countries facing political turmoil experiences. And rather than focusing on the protestors, Makhmalbaf follows the president and his grandson on the run from revolutionaries wanting to execute him.

The result is a touching film that most of all is a tale of a criminal having to face the victims of his sins.

Mohsen Makhmalbaf (born 1957) is an Iranian director and scriptwriter. He has been directing since the 80s and has made films such as Kandahar (2001), Gabbeh (1996) and Nun ya Goldoon (1996). The President premiered during the Venice Film Festival as the opening film of the festival's horizon section.