TEHRAN- American film director Michael Curtiz’s 1945 movie “Mildred Pierce” will go on screen at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Wednesday afternoon. 

The screening will be followed by a review session by Iranian critics Kurosh Jahed and Amir Qaderi.

"Mildred Pierce" is a drama film, based on the 1941 novel of the same name by James M. Cain. The film tells the story of Mildred Pierce, played by Joan Crawford, a divorced mother who struggles to provide for her daughter Veda and her own desires. The story begins with the murder of Monte Beragon, Mildred's second husband. The police suspect Mildred's first husband, Bert Pierce, of the crime, but Mildred protests that he is too kind to commit murder. She then recounts her story to the officer in flashback.

The flashback reveals Mildred's unhappy marriage to Bert and her struggles to provide for their two daughters, Veda and Kay. After Bert and his business partner, Wally Fay, separate, Mildred must work multiple jobs to support the family. Veda, played by Ann Blyth, a spoiled and manipulative teenager, longs for high social status and is ashamed of her mother's humble background.

Mildred meets Monte Beragon, a wealthy man who pursues her romantically. Despite their differences, Mildred becomes involved with him and eventually marries him. However, their marriage is loveless, and Monte only uses Mildred to improve his social status. Veda, who has become increasingly demanding and manipulative, begins to take advantage of her mother's wealth and influence.

As the story unfolds, Mildred becomes increasingly desperate to reconcile with Veda, who has become addicted to her mother's wealth and material possessions. Mildred coaxes Monte into a loveless marriage to improve her social status, but this ultimately leads to financial ruin and the downfall of her business empire.

In the end, it is revealed that Veda committed the murder of Monte Beragon. Mildred is devastated by her daughter's betrayal and tries to apologize to her as she is sent to jail. 

The film's climax revolves around Mildred's relationship with her daughter, which reaches a boiling point when Veda's manipulations are revealed. The film ends with Mildred's devastating realization that her daughter has never truly loved or appreciated her. It ends with Mildred reconciling with her first husband, Bert, and coming to terms with the consequences of her mistakes. The film's themes of maternal sacrifice, ambition, and the destructive nature of materialism are timeless and continue to resonate with audiences today.

"Mildred Pierce" is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, with Joan Crawford delivering a powerful and nuanced performance as the titular character. The film's direction by Michael Curtiz is also noteworthy, as he brings Cain's complex characters and story to life with a masterful touch. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Joan Crawford, and has been reevaluated and reappreciated over the years as a classic of American cinema.

The film's director, Michael Curtiz, was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director, but did not win.

In 1998, the United States Library of Congress deemed "Mildred Pierce" "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.

In 2012, the film was re-released in a restored version, and it was re-evaluated by critics.

SAB/