Homework

Original Title: Mashgh-e shab
Type: Documentary

Crew:
Written & Directed by: Abbas Kiarostami
Director of Photography: Iraj safavi & Ali Asghar Mirzaee
Editing: Abbas Kiarostami
Music: Mohammad-Reza Aligholi
Sound Recorder: Ahmad Asgari
Sound Mixer: Changuiz Sayyad
Company: Institute for Intellectual Development of Children & Young Adults – Kanoon – Iran
Year: 1990
Running Time: 77 min
Film Gauge: 16mm, Colour
Original Version: Persian

Synopsis:
According to Kiarostami, « Mashgh-e Shab is not a film but a filmed inquiry into the problems of the Iranian educational system made evident with my own children every evening after school » Interviewed at school by the director himself, the pupils are filmed in close up with their backs against the wall. They talk about their excessive amount of homework competing with TV cartoons and the punishment which it entails.