Set in 1972, this satire on the bureaucratic ineptitudes of the pre-revolutionary government proves both humorous and poignant with its comic take on laws and lawlessness. After years of scrimping and saving, Mr. Halimi, a good-natured civil servant, purchases a house in the Tehran suburb Hertabad, known as Chaos City. No sooner are their cherished possessions unpacked than the Halimis surprise a burglar helping himself to their belongings. The stubbornly law-abiding Halimi hauls the thief from the police station to the Justice Ministry only to learn that Chaos City is "off the limits" and does not fall within official jurisdiction. Spurred to action by Halimi, the neighbors decide to band together and protect their community without the help of the authorities. Bani-etemad is one of three female directors active in Iran's feature film industry. (AS)