Kupal

Stuffed animals and gourmet food. Islamic teachings and the cult of consumption on television. Misogyny and an obsession with control. Iranian first-time director Kazem Mollaie mixes seemingly incompatible ingredients, creating a perverse survival thriller and black comedy. Ahmad Kupal-hunter, taxidermist and doctor of zoology-lives with his dog, Haiku. He has turned his house in the suburbs into a fortress complete with a monitoring system that allows him to follow every step. Kupal loves animals (exotic and dead), cable TV (nature channels) and (fatty) food. His disillusioned wife left him, and his son disappeared under unclear circumstances. One day, he falls victim to his own trap when an armored door in his basement slams shut behind him. Will anyone come to help him or is he condemned to dreaming about his last meal of fast food on his deathbed? Kupal is a wild study-drawing on pop culture-of a man plunging into the paranoia and loneliness and whose life has the imprint of tragedy.