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Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine

Play trailer Poster for Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine 2001 1h 33m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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72% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Bahman Farjami (Bahman Farmanara) is a 55-year-old filmmaker in Iran who has been banned from making films for over 20 years by the Post-Revolutionary Censor Board (his previous film to this was made in 1978). As other Iranian filmmakers die, and he considers his own heart condition a sign that he may soon follow, Farjami decides to film his own funeral. This new quest finds him researching funeral rites, but it also brings him into jeopardy.
Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Hitting upon universal themes, this meditation on death is both poignant and wryly humorous.

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Critics Reviews

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Jane Sumner Dallas Morning News 04/25/2002
B
Somber and haunting with an undertow of mordant wit, Mr. Farmanara's comeback finds its morning in life and nature. Go to Full Review Robert K. Elder Chicago Tribune 09/06/2001
The director's obsession with death sometimes seems overwrought and self-flagellating. Go to Full Review Adam Nayman eye WEEKLY 08/27/2001
4/5
By turns funny, moving and surreal, the film is difficult to classify -- with its personal content and screwball comedy, it just might be Iran's answer to Woody Allen. Go to Full Review Enrique Fernandez South Florida Sun-Sentinel 08/18/2021
3/4
Iranian film continues to enchant viewers hungry for a gimmick-free yet imaginative approach to the medium. Go to Full Review Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review 08/07/2008
3/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 08/11/2005
2/5
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Audience Reviews

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09/20/2010 (*** 1/2): Thumbs Up Funny and well-written. See more 03/29/2009 By turns, funny and tragic, this is an idiosyncratic look at life, aging and death. Beautifully honest account, intelligent and full of heart and truth See more 06/11/2008 Funny that a film/story so focused on death is actually about life and the small joys it brings. Initially, it felt like Farmanara was being overly self-indulgent in his storytelling (and casting himself as lead), but now I see how it could be difficult finding anyone else to fill that role. See more 10/18/2007 Sad, bit Fellini-esque. An Iranian director searches for the meaning of life in the meaning of death. See more 06/11/2007 This movie is really melancholy and beautiful. It was the first Iranian movie I ever saw and it's still the only one I've seen to date... which is a shame. I had never wanted to learn Farsi or go to Iran before I saw this movie... and this movie exposed me to both the country and the language and, long story short, it made me want to get in touch with that aspect of myself. Cheesy of me to say, but true, and it's a good movie. See more 06/05/2007 Saw this in an Iranian film class and liked it, and enjoyed it even more when I got it from Netflix. They describe Farmanara as an Iranian Woody Allen, which I don't think is particularly apt (it is very a very dark film). There are a few funny moments, interesting symbolism, and great music. See more Read all reviews
Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Bahman Farmanara

Director

Bahman Farmanara

Bahman Farjami

Roya Nonahali

Woman Hitchhiker

Reza Kianian

Dr. Arasteh, The Attorney

Valiyollah Shirandami

Homayouni, The Actor

Parivash Nazarieh

Farzaneh

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Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine

Bahman Farmanji (Bahman Farmanara) imagines himself in the midst of his own funeral. A desperate woman (Roya Nonahali) asks Bahman Farmanji (Bahman Farmanara) for a ride. Bahman Farmanji (Bahman Farmanara) breaks the law and gives a desparate woman (Roya Nonahali) a ride. Bahman Farmanji (Bahman Farmanara) kisses the hand of his invalid mother (Maliheh Nazari) Bahman Farmanji (Bahman Farmanara) talks with his doctor/lawyer (Reza Kiaman) Bahman Farmanji (Bahman Farmanara) sitting at his desk. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Bahman Farjami (Bahman Farmanara) is a 55-year-old filmmaker in Iran who has been banned from making films for over 20 years by the Post-Revolutionary Censor Board (his previous film to this was made in 1978). As other Iranian filmmakers die, and he considers his own heart condition a sign that he may soon follow, Farjami decides to film his own funeral. This new quest finds him researching funeral rites, but it also brings him into jeopardy.
Director
Bahman Farmanara
Producer
Morteza Shayesteh
Screenwriter
Bahman Farmanara
Distributor
New Yorker Films
Production Co
Hedayat Film
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Persian
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 9, 2001, Wide
Release Date (DVD)
Mar 1, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA)
$66.1K
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)