Movie spotlight
When I Want to Cry, I Don't
In Venezuela, one day in 1948 there were born three children all named Victorino: Pérez, mulatto and son of the poor Lucía; Perdomo, son of a middle-class communist who gets arrested; and bourgeois Peralta. On the day of his eighteenth birthday Pérez escapes from prison using lather pretending it to be a rage attack. Peralta shows a friend of his a car he got from his parents. A young lady gives herself to Perdomo as a birthday present. Pérez finds his mistress with another man and wounds her. Pérez and a few others rob an old man while riding on their motorcycles. Perdomo and a bunch of bushwhackers plan to rob a bank. Pérez sees a friend of his smoking pot while Peralta visits a cousin of his and has sex with her. Perdomo’s father, recently elected a communist representative wants to talk him out of his violent ways. Pérez sleeps with three girls and remembers how he once killed a man in the middle of a robbery. Peralta and his friends shoot dogs just for fun. Perdomo and his pals…
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Plot Summary
This film tells the story of an orphan boy who finds himself in a series of challenging situations as he navigates the harsh realities of life. He faces societal indifference and personal struggles, often resorting to unusual means to survive and find a sense of belonging. The narrative explores themes of innocence lost and the resilience of the human spirit against adversity.
Critical Reception
The film was a significant work in Iranian cinema, praised for its poignant portrayal of childhood hardship and social commentary. It resonated with audiences for its emotional depth and honest depiction of societal issues prevalent at the time.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its sensitive portrayal of a child's struggles.
Noted for its social commentary on poverty and neglect.
Appreciated for its emotional impact and memorable performance by the young protagonist.
Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's powerful emotional impact and its ability to evoke empathy for the protagonist's plight. Many viewers found the story deeply moving and considered it a classic example of socially conscious filmmaking.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for the Golden Bear at the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival.
Fun Fact
The director, Jafar Panahi, also starred as the young boy in the film, marking one of his early significant roles.
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