Customer Reviews

I Don't Hate Las Vegas Anymore [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This film is so entertaining and true to life. It takes you through the winding roads of family life as it changes from one generation to another. Most of all it magnifies the gap that often exists between immigrant parents and thier American children. A must see for those who like a dose of how funny family reality can be.

Caveh Zahedi's "mocumentary" is about tkaing a trip to Vegas with his father, a first-generation Iranian immirgant, and his little brother. He has always felt alienated from his family so he decides to bring a film crew from UCLA film school to film the trip. He wants to feel love with his father and brother, so he asks them to take ecstacy with him so that they can have a pure, loving trip together. The father has a heart comdition and the little brother cites the mantra he's been taught at school: "just say no". Caveh's angst-ridden musing is amazing... the film is maddening and sad and funny and you should see it.

Zahedi claims he is trying to prove the existance of God through the making of this film. God is to guide the film and make it good through His presence. This sensibility connects to Zahedi's interest in family togetherness (with his father and half-brother). Zahedi's ineptness makes the film better; whatever deserves credit for making this a 'good' film, it made sure to portray the real divisions between family members and how those divisions are present even in very ordinary situations. Zahedi's brother is so obviously a teenager of his time (complete with a Colorado University hat) that it really adds to the fun as well.