The Lizard

Original title: Marmoulak

20042004
1h 55m

Parviz Parastui and Ra'na Azadivar in Marmoulak (2004)

A recently jailed petty thief disguises as a Mullah and succeeds in escaping; but has to stay in the Mullah' role longer than he expected to.A recently jailed petty thief disguises as a Mullah and succeeds in escaping; but has to stay in the Mullah' role longer than he expected to.A recently jailed petty thief disguises as a Mullah and succeeds in escaping; but has to stay in the Mullah' role longer than he expected to.

See production, box office & company info

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 4 wins

Parviz Parastui in Marmoulak (2004)

Parviz Parastui in Marmoulak (2004)

Reza Saeedi, Ra'na Azadivar, and Soheyla Razavi in Marmoulak (2004)

Parviz Parastui in Marmoulak (2004)

Marmoulak (2004)

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Marmoulak (2004)

Parviz Parastui in Marmoulak (2004)

Marmoulak (2004)

Marmoulak (2004)

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Satirical commentary on clergymen in post-revolutionary Iran. While in prison, petty criminal Reza (Parviz Parastui) comes across a clergyman, sparking a plan for escape. Reza dons his new acquaintance's clerical robes and makes a bid for freedom. He soon learns that being a clergyman brings little respect from the public. Reza travels to the outlying villages, from where he plots to escape the country. However, his plans must be put on hold when the villagers accept him into their community and expect him to perform religious duties. Will Reza's prison break transform him into an unlikely pillar of the community? —IMVBox.com

iran shia islam jail god 28 more

Taglines
- The number of ways to reach God is equal to the number of people on earth
Genres
- Comedy
- Drama
Parents guide
- Add content advisory

Trivia
Broke Iranian box-office record although it was only in theaters for two weeks.

Quotes
Mojtaba: Haji,in North Pole we have six months of nights and six months of days. How can we say our day and night prayers over there?
Reza Marmoulak: You look at me as if you have a bus ticket for the North Pole and you want to leave right now!
Reza Marmoulak: Actually, there are differences among the clergy over this issue. Some of them believe that we Muslims should never go tho North Pole because we are used to warm climates and the cold weather will bother us. So why should we go to a place where we might freeze to death?
Mojtaba: Then, if a war breaks out between the Muslims and North Pole what would happen to a Muslim who might be taken captive?
Reza Marmoulak: Yes!Actually this is what the other clergy say that all the prayers that you say during the six months of night will be considered as night prayers and so screw the North Pole.You better say your prayers according to the local time of your own country.
Mojtaba: Haji, Then if we take that...
Reza Marmoulak: Case closed.You better eat your yoghurt!

Connections
References Pulp Fiction (1994)

Top review

10/10

Humorous, yet, touching and profound film

I, as an Iranian, think this is by far one of the greatest films I have ever seen in my life, and although you may think that I'm bias, I was actually born and raised in the United States. The move was a comedy, yes, it was funny, but that is a very minor element in this film where I think profound Iranian culture, spirituality, and decency was brilliantly portrayed. I have seen this move over 5 times, and each time I watch it, I am refreshed by the moving inspiration and profound subtleties of the film.

This movie beautifully depicts the traditional outlook of mullahs (as well as the common traditional believers in Iran), and the universal spirituality of being a true believer. If this movie is merely interpreted as a jest to put down mullahs, or as a pure comical film of the trenches of disguise and deceit, then I feel sorry for that viewer's simplistic view. Well-done to the director for making this masterful film, and I'm sorry for the non-Iranians who will probably only get 30 % of the essence and meaning of this film.

Lastly, this film IS prevalent and easily ACCESSIBLE in Iran, and it is on DVD.

helpful•16

5

farzin989
Dec 13, 2006

Release date
- February 24, 2005 (United States)
Country of origin
- Iran
Official sites
- IMVBox.com
- sourehcinema
Language
- Persian
Also known as
- Lizard
Filming locations
- Ahar, Shemiranat County, Tehran Province, Iran
Production company
- Faradis
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Runtime
1 hour 55 minutes
Color
- Color
Sound mix
- Mono
Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1

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Parviz Parastui and Ra'na Azadivar in Marmoulak (2004)

Top Gap

By what name was Marmoulak (2004) officially released in India in English?

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