The Mission
The Mission / Ferestadeh
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Freedom Film Festival Poster by Wiktor Sadowski © American Cinema Foundation The Holloway File |
USA/West Germany (1982)
About The Film
Touzie, a hit man from Iran, is sent to New York by the Khomeini regime to eliminate enemies of the state and former allies of the deposed Shah. His new assignment is to bump off Sayyad, a former colonel in the Shah's SAVAK secret police forces. As a devout Muslim in the Babylon of New York City, Touzie goes through numerous culture shocks to which he cannot adjust, such as a lightly clad Marilyn Monroe displayed openly on television. Eventually he closes in on his victim, but before he can strike, he inadvertently saves his target from being mugged. Sayyad, grateful for what his fellow countryman has done, takes his would-be killer into his home and treats him as a member of the family. Not realizing Touzie's true intent, Sayyad introduces him to his wife's sister and children, who have all assimilated American culture.
Director's filmography
Born in 1939 in Lahijan, Iran, Parviz Sayyad has been a director, producer, actor, screenwriter and editor for more than 30 years. He starred in the series of Samad films, made in the 1970s, whose character lives on even today. THE MISSION premiered at the 1983 Berlin Film Festival, and won the Bronze Leopard at the 1983 Locarno International Film Festival, where it also received a Special Mention from the Ecumenical Jury.
108 min., color 35mm
Farsi with English subtitles
Director: Parviz Sayyad
Screenplay: Sayyad, story by Hesam Kowsar
Director of Photography: Reza Aria
Editor: Sayyad
Production: Aria, N.Y. Film Group
Producer: Reza Aria, Sayyad
Cast: Parviz Sayyad, Mary Apick, Houshang Touzie, Saeed Rajai, Kamran Nozad, Mohammed Ghaffari, Hatam Anvar, Hedyeh Anvar