Justification (1981)
An Iranian political thriller written by Mohsen Makhmalbaf, probing the moral limits of protest and violence during the Pahlavi era.
Justification - Movie Information
- Original Title: توجیه
- Release Year: 1981
- Directed by: Manoochehr Haghani-Parast
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: Persian
- Spoken Languages: Persian
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 15, 1981 (IR)
- Alternative Titles: Tojih (IR)
Justification - Plot
During the time of the Pahlavi Dynasty - the ruling House of Iran - the US President Richard Nixon is about to visit Tehran, but a violent armed opposing group intend to make their mark by planting a bomb in a public office in protest. However, in the middle of the terror plot a Muslim member of this group decides to confront his own peers on the nature of this act. An action-filled political treat that delves into themes of morality and protest.
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Justification - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Manoochehr Haghani-Parast
Main Cast
- Jafar Dehghan
- Tajbakhsh Fanaeian
- Ali Hessami
- Abbas Nozari
- Reza Cheraghi
- Hassan Khosrowjerdi
- Abdollah Beh Afrooz
- Majid Majidi
- Ali Tavakolli
- Ali Allahyari
Writers
- Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Justification - FAQs
What is Justification about?
Justification is set during Iran's Pahlavi Dynasty and follows an armed group plotting to bomb a public office in protest of US President Richard Nixon's visit to Tehran. A Muslim member of the group begins to question the morality of their violent actions, turning the film into a tense moral and political drama.
Who directed Justification (1981)?
Justification was directed by Manoochehr Haghani-Parast, an Iranian filmmaker. The screenplay was written by Mohsen Makhmalbaf, who would later become one of Iran's most celebrated and internationally recognized directors and screenwriters.
Who are the main actors in Justification?
The film features Jafar Dehghan, Tajbakhsh Fanaeian, Ali Hessami, Abbas Nozari, Reza Cheraghi, Hassan Khosrowjerdi, Abdollah Beh Afrooz, Majid Majidi, Ali Tavakolli, and Ali Allahyari. Notably, Majid Majidi appears in the cast before becoming a world-renowned director himself.
Did Majid Majidi appear in Justification before directing?
Yes, Majid Majidi — later celebrated for directing Children of Heaven and The Color of Paradise — appears as an actor in Justification. The film also features a screenplay by Mohsen Makhmalbaf, making it a notable early work connecting several future giants of Iranian cinema.
When was Justification released?
Justification was released on May 15, 1981, in Iran. It is also known by its transliterated Persian title Tojih. The film was produced in the immediate aftermath of the Islamic Revolution, a period of significant political and cultural transformation in Iranian cinema.
Who wrote the screenplay for Justification?
The screenplay for Justification was written by Mohsen Makhmalbaf, who went on to become one of the most prominent and internationally acclaimed filmmakers in Iranian cinema history, known for films such as Gabbeh, A Moment of Innocence, and Kandahar.
What themes does Justification explore?
Justification delves into themes of morality, political protest, and religious conscience. The central conflict — a Muslim militant questioning the ethics of violence within his own group — frames a broader debate about the justification of extremism, making it a thought-provoking political thriller rooted in Iranian history.
What language is Justification in?
Justification is a Persian-language film, reflecting its Iranian production. The original title is توجیه (Tojih), and the film was made for Iranian audiences during a pivotal era in the country's political and cultural history, shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
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