You are here:

Once Upon a Time, Cinema

Name: Once Upon a Time, Cinema
Director: Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Released: 1992
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

5.2/10

Fair

1992

Director

Mohsen Makhmalbaf

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s work prioritizes intellectual and cultural deconstruction over demographic representation. The film succeeds as a postmodern critique of historical authority, using the 'magic' of cinema to challenge established power structures. While the film excels in its cultural specificity and rejection of Western cinematic norms, it lacks explicit representation for LGBTQ+ and disability narratives. The focus remains on reclaiming Iranian cultural identity. Ultimately, the film is a systematic challenge to official history, trading traditional demographic diversity for a deep, localized reclamation of Iranian cultural identity.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Once Upon a Time, Cinema have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film centers on the relationship between the filmmaker and Naser al-Din Shah, with no clear indication of queer themes or non-traditional gender identities.

How does Once Upon a Time, Cinema portray gender?

Fair

The historical sequences highlight the dominance of the Shah, while the character Atieh provides a conceptual anchor. However, the film does not explicitly challenge traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Once Upon a Time, Cinema?

Good

The film offers a localized exploration of Iranian identity, resisting Western-centric views by focusing on the history of Iranian cinema and the Qajar dynasty.

How does Once Upon a Time, Cinema represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film effectively critiques traditional power structures and monarchical stability. It uses postmodern techniques to question how history and institutional truths are constructed.

Does Once Upon a Time, Cinema include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no clear depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

Resists Western-centric cinematic traditions.
Offers a localized exploration of Iranian cultural history.
Effectively critiques historical and monarchical authority.

Limited or Absent

No explicit LGBTQ+ representation or subtext.
No visible disability representation.
Limited women's ability to drive the story in the historical narrative.

Official Synopsis

The film follows a character known as The Cinematographer, who is looking for someone called Atieh (Future). As he calls out to her, he is magically transported back in time from the early twentieth century to the reign of Naser al-Din Shah in 19th century Iran. Captured by the Shah's guards, he shows films from the history of Iranian cinema to the Shah. The Shah is entranced and eagerly shows his family the apparently magical medium.

How are these scores produced? →