Village Voice

It's a political statement, an act of defiance, a master class in one auteur's body of work and process, and a document of a life unseen. But above all, it's a gripping entertainment.

Time Out by Keith Uhlich

Sure it is - and a great one at that.

Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum

This is a great film, and a triumph of creativity and courage over repression.

Christian Science Monitor by Peter Rainer

In Panahi's case, he is insuperably handicapped by his current constraints. And yet, despite everything, here is This Is Not a Film, which is emphatically a film – and an extraordinary one.

The Guardian by Peter Bradshaw

This Is Not a Film is a compelling personal document, a quietly passionate statement of artistic intent, and an uncompromising testament to his belief in cinema.

Wall Street Journal by Joe Morgenstern

Against all odds, an unquenchable artist has made yet another piece of powerful art.

The New York Times by A.O. Scott

How did Mr. Panahi do this? I'm at a bit of a loss to explain, to tell you the truth, since my job is to review movies, and this, obviously, is something different: a masterpiece in a form that does not yet exist.

Salon by Andrew O'Hehir

Any way you slice it, it's a brave and brilliant act of defiance.

Boxoffice Magazine by Phil Contrino

This Is Not A Film and "A Separation" masterfully show Iranians that are full of the same passions, concerns and desires as the rest of the world-an incredibly important accomplishment now that the drumbeat to war grows louder each day.

Village Voice by Karina Longworth

It's a political statement, an act of defiance, a master class in one auteur's body of work and process, and a document of a life unseen. But above all, it's a gripping entertainment.

San Francisco Chronicle by Walter Addiego

This Is Not a Film isn't just a film, it's a strong one. It's also an act of political defiance, a moving personal document and a meditation on what film is and can be.

Variety

Standing at his balcony, filming the revelry with his iPhone, he seems to be saying that directing is more defiant an act than lighting a firecracker or two. Truth be told, Panahi's poignant "Film" is infinitely more explosive.

New York Magazine (Vulture) by David Edelstein

In totalitarian societies, artists have found all sorts of ways - some brilliantly imaginative - to disguise their political protest, but Panahi has no subterfuges left. This Is Not a Film ends with a whimper that is a bang. He must be freed.

Slant Magazine

In its way, this effort is both a forceful assertion of the most stifling brand of auteurism and a radical reconfiguration of its political potential.

The New Yorker by David Denby

The movie is also about a man without fear. It is often funny and stirring, but as you are watching you know what the game will lead to; dictatorships are not known for their sense of humor. [5 March 2012, p. 86]

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) by Liam Lacey

Deft and ironic, mixing banal reality with poignant metaphor in a typically Iranian style.

The A.V. Club by Scott Tobias

Pleasing mainly just as a message-in-a-bottle from a restless, persecuted artist-that is, until the amazing closing shot, which brings the volatility of post-Green Revolution Iran home with unforgettable force.