TEHRAN- “Civil War”, a 2024 war drama by English director Alex Garland, was reviewed at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Wednesday. 

Film critics Kurosh Jahed and Amir Qaderi attended a screening of the film followed by a review session.

The film takes place during a civil war in the United States, where the federal government is fighting against secessionist movements. Veteran war photographer Lee Smith and journalist Joel team up with their mentor Sammy to interview the isolated president, despite the odds being against them. Along the way, they meet a young aspiring photojournalist named Jessie, who joins them on their journey.

As they travel through the war-torn country, they face numerous challenges and dangers, including violence, torture, and death. Lee mentors Jessie in photography, and she becomes desensitized to violence as she grows closer to Lee. Meanwhile, Joel struggles with the moral implications of their actions and the death of their friend Sammy. The group eventually reaches the White House, where they embed themselves with the Western Forces and prepare to capture the president.

In the final showdown, the group faces off against the remaining Secret Service agents and attempts to negotiate with the president. However, things take a deadly turn when Lee is fatally shot while trying to protect Jessie. Jessie continues to take photos, capturing the brutal reality of war. In the end, Jessie and Joel are left alone, watching as the Western Forces execute the president and pose with his corpse. The film ends with a haunting portrayal of the devastating effects of war on those who are caught in its midst.

Alex Garland is an English author, screenwriter, and director who has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. He first gained recognition with his novel "The Beach" in 1996, which led to a string of critically acclaimed film adaptations, including "28 Days Later" and "Sunshine", both directed by Danny Boyle. He also wrote the screenplay for "Never Let Me Go" and "Dredd", and collaborated on the video game "Enslaved: Odyssey to the West".

Garland's directorial debut came with the sci-fi thriller "Ex Machina" in 2014, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and won three British Independent Film Awards. His sophomore effort, "Annihilation", a 2018 adaptation of the novel of the same name, was also a critical success. In addition to his film work, Garland has also ventured into television, writing, directing, and executive producing the FX miniseries "Devs" in 2020.

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