ScreenDaily.com
Dir: Tamaz Eshaghian. USA, Canada, Iran, 2008. 74mins
Be Like Others , a documentary on a topic that seems almost like the start of a joke – did you know that in Iran, homosexuality is punishable by death, but sex-change operations are not only sanctioned by the governing clerics but almost actively encouraged? – turns out to be a thoughtful, touching, and at times even wrenching study of sexual and religious hypocrisy in that troubled land.
Directed by the Iranian-American filmmaker Tanaz Eshaghian, who was born in Iran in 1974, this would make a fascinating addition to any festival. It also promises to enjoy a robust life on DVD and in ancillary markets, and may even be a candidate for theatrical release in selected sites in North America and Europe.