Movie spotlight
Once Upon a Time, There Was a King...
A selfish self-centered widowed ruler, barely tolerated by his subjects and called appropriately enough, 'King Myself, First' asks his three daughters to name the measure of their love for him. When one of them says, "more than salt", he banishes her from the kingdom. Not understanding what she meant the King assumes love can only be measured by precious metals or one's own talent, the 'correct' answers from his other two daughters. The arrogance of the King leads him to gather all the salt in the kingdom and destroy it. Of course, this backfires as he slowly learns the universal value of the substance, and of course, the essence of his daughter's reply. With the help of the wise and magical old 'herb woman', the King also learns what it means to be a true and wise ruler.
Insights
Plot Summary
The film tells the story of a young boy who loses his beloved father under tragic circumstances. Orphaned and alone, he is taken in by his uncle, who is an ambitious and ruthless man. The boy must navigate this new, harsh reality while holding onto the memories of his father and the values he represented.
Critical Reception
As an early Iranian film, 'Once Upon a Time, There Was a King...' is noted for its attempt to explore themes of family, loss, and morality within the context of traditional Iranian society. While specific critical reviews from its initial release are scarce, it is recognized for its place in the developing national cinema.
What Reviewers Say
A foundational piece of Iranian cinema.
Explores universal themes of childhood loss and familial bonds.
Notable for its historical context in early Iranian filmmaking.
Google audience: Information on specific audience reception from Google reviews for this film is not readily available due to its age and region of origin.
Fun Fact
This film is considered one of the early significant dramas produced in Iran, contributing to the establishment of the country's film industry.
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