The state of our world is increasingly fragile – bloodshed, warfare, disease and overcrowding are taking their toll upon humanity, pushing us to the breaking point. So dire is the evening news from day to day that you begin to wonder if perhaps, your life wouldn't be better if you didn't just pack up your belongings and set off for an existence where the stark reality of global strife couldn't impact you.

It's a theme along these lines that Iranian director Mohammed Rasoulof tackles in his acclaimed Iron Island, a potent allegory about the politics of survival and rule in the contemporary Muslim world. Under the watchful eyes of Captain Nemat (Ali Nasirian), a sort of good-hearted dictator who oversees life onboard a decaying oil tanker moored in the Persian Gulf, Iron Island explores the home of cast-off members of Iran's Sunni-Arab minority. The ersatz community becomes troubled when the ship's owners decide to sell the tanker for scrap metal, a decision which throws the ordinarily peaceful ship dwellers into a state of chaos. As the ship's situation rapidly deteriorates, Captain Nemat must summon all of his strength to deal with a crisis the likes of which his charges have never seen.

Iron Island has been likened by some to the films of the Italian neo-realism movement, with their non-professional actors and oblique narratives and it's a comparison that fits. Rasoulof's film carries only the faintest trace of a linear narrative, content instead to drift between decks, capturing life seemingly as it happens, all through the benevolent eyes of Captain Nemat. While the film has a poignant impact, it's somewhat diminished as viewers are never really given a chance to connect with more than a few main characters. Over the course of the film, you glimpse many more people than are actually introduced and it tends to dilute the power of Iron Island. Nevertheless, it's a warm, rewarding film that merits a look from fans of foreign cinema.

The Video:

Iron Island is presented in a rough-looking 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer that won't have you pulling this disc out to demo your home theater anytime soon – gritty and a little washed out, Reza Jalali's evocative cinematography does justice to its subjects, but suffers somewhat in the translation to DVD.

There aren't any kinetic action sequences in Rasoulof's film, but instead lengthy discussions in Persian, all of which are faithfully reproduced with this disc's serviceable Dolby 2.0 stereo soundtrack, presented in its native Persian. There's no noticeable distortion or drop-out and for those of you who've let your Persian slide, optional English subtitles are included.

The film's theatrical trailer and a few stills are the only bonus features.

Iranian director Mohammed Rasoulof's acclaimed Iron Island is a potent allegory about the politics of survival and rule in the contemporary Muslim world and well worth a look for fans of foreign cinema. Recommended.