Watch A Man of Integrity

In the small and rural town of Astan Abad in northern Iran, 40-year-old fish farmer Reza (played by Reza Akhlaghirad) tries to live a peaceful and honest life with his wife and son. However, his moral standards are consistently tested as he faces the corrupt local authorities and businessmen who run the town with an iron fist. Reza refuses to join a fish farming association that is controlled by the powerful local mayor, who uses his power to monopolize the market and force Reza to sell his fish at a low price. The situation becomes worse when Reza's fish are poisoned by the association, leading to a devastating loss for his business.

As he struggles to keep his head above water, Reza's wife (Soudabeh Beizaee) encourages him to stand up for himself and fight against the injustice. However, Reza's path is riddled with obstacles, including the fear of retaliation from those in power, the pressure from his family and community to conform, and his own personal values and beliefs.

The tension in the film mounts as Reza's fight for his integrity and livelihood becomes increasingly dangerous. He is caught in a web of lies and deception, as he is targeted by the mayor and his cronies, who resort to blackmail and intimidation to silence him. In the midst of all this, Reza struggles to find a way to maintain his principles despite the immense pressure from his circumstances.

A Man of Integrity is a slow-burn drama that takes its time developing its conflicts and characters. However, the film's measured pace only makes the stakes feel higher in a story that is both personal and political. Director Mohammad Rasoulof, who was sentenced to prison in Iran for "anti-state propaganda" while making the film, imbues the story with a palpable sense of tension and urgency, creating a narrative that is at once suspenseful and thought-provoking.

Reza Akhlaghirad's performance as Reza is a standout, as he conveys a palpable sense of internal struggle and conflicted emotions. He is a man torn between his desire for justice and his fear for his family's safety, and the complexities of his character are portrayed with nuance and depth. Soudabeh Beizaee as his wife is also impressive, providing a grounded and insightful perspective on the events around them.

The film's bleak and atmospheric setting provides an ironic contrast to the beauty of the natural surroundings. With its rocky hills, lush forests, and shimmering blue waters, the surroundings are a stark reminder of the pristine qualities of nature and the contrast to the greed and corruption that exists in the town.

Overall, A Man of Integrity is a compelling and sobering film that challenges the viewer's notions of morality, justice, and societal norms. It explores the precarious nature of standing up to oppression and the costs that come with staying true to one's principles. It is a thought-provoking film that leaves a strong impression long after the credits roll.

Note: This film won the Un Certain Regard prize at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards.

A Man of Integrity is a 2017 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 78.