It has one of the best opening scenes: is it a street riot? an anti-American demonstration? where is the sale? But soon the director does what he likes best: manipulate the hell out of his actors, and us, as if we are puppets. The eagerness of those people to appear in his movie is anywhere between touching to awful (hey folks, it's only a movie). But maybe it says more about the importance of film in Iranian culture. I saw it three times and was equally engaged every time.