A very, very cynical look at cinema (what better way to celebrate it's 100th birthday) which suits how I feel about movies these days. The realisations of these people's motives to get into the film is heart-breaking and shows how important film productions are in countries like these. A real eye-opener, but I should point out that's it's not all gloomy and there are some real laugh-out-loud moments.

It was fantastic seeing everyday people try to achieve their dreams of acting, or involvement film. Even seeing someone getting killed on film was jaw dropping. That thought will never leave my head. Makhmalbaf does great in this film.

A diabolical concept, but so very effective: Makhmalbaf deliberately blurs the line between actor and amateur applicant. The audition becomes the movie and we get to see the confusion of the auditioned as they're told this. It's hard to absolve the director toying with them like a cat with its prey, but just as hard not to revel in their reactions and to feel for them.