The temporary shuttering of movie theaters during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent partnerships between independent cinemas and distributors to keep the stream of films flowing into viewers’ homes has resulted in the digital release of numerous great documentaries — none finer than Coup 53.
The latest feature from Iranian-born director Taghi Amirani (Red Lines and Deadlines) chronicles the ousting of his native country’s democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953, a historical event that’s fallen into obscurity but, in the filmmakers’ capable hands, should soon return to global prominence.
A decade in the making, Coup 53 features a wealth of archival footage, newly sourced interviews, Amirani’s behind-the-scenes investigation and even rotoscope animation, all expertly pieced together by legendary editor and sound designer Walter Murch (Apocalypse Now; The English Patient).
Synthesizing these diverse components, the collaborators make a compelling argument that the joint CIA/MI6 operation to remove Mossadegh — who was working to nationalize industries, including the oil that the British had controlled — and replace him with the corrupt shah not only resulted in the tense Middle Eastern relations that remain today but gave the then-fledgling U.S. agency a dangerous taste of power that resulted in similar international meddling, including Vietnam.
Though the CIA’s role is no secret, Amirani’s apparent ace in confirming MI6’s involvement — which the U.K. government still hasn’t admitted — is British agent Norman Darbyshire’s interview for the mid-’80s documentary series End of Empire. Darbyshire’s damning filmed contribution was cut from the final version of Empire, but thanks to multiple independent sources, the transcript of the interview finds its way to Amirani.
With Darbyshire no longer alive to comment, Amirani and Murch devise the absolutely brilliant concept of putting Darbyshire into their movie by having none other than Ralph Fiennes play the spy, and he more than convincingly performs Darbyshire’s suppressed lines like the master actor he is, doing so in the very same London hotel where the original interview was conducted.
Fiennes’ phenomenal portrayal is then seamlessly integrated into Coup 53’s thrilling storytelling as it builds to the titular overthrow, resulting in a fascinating convergence of imagination and education that might very well be the first truly must-see film of 2020.
Available to rent starting Aug. 19 via grailmoviehouse.com
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