Crimson Gold () is a 2003 Iranian film directed by Jafar Panahi, and written by Abbas Kiarostami. The film was never distributed in Iranian theatres, because it was considered too "dark". Therefore, it was not possible that Crimson Gold be considered as the Iranian entry for Best Foreign Language Film for the 2003 Oscars as it was not released in Iran. Plot The movie opens with a scene inside a jeweler's shop, which the main character, Hossein, appears to be attempting to rob. Hossein tries to force The Jeweler, to give him the key to the safe at gunpoint. The Jeweler refuses, and manages to trigger the alarm. Hossein then shoots The Jeweler, and, after some deliberation, takes his own life as well. The rest of the movie proceeds to tell Hossein's story. The action flashes back to a scene two days before Hossein's attempted robbery. Hossein's friend, co-worker, and partner-in-crime Ali comes to tell Hossein that everything has been cleared for Hossein's marriage to Ali's sister (named "The Bride" in the credits). He also empties a purse he has snatched, whose contents are meager save a slip of paper with the address of a jeweler's shop and a figure of 75 million tomans. A con artist ("The Man in the Tea House"), overhears the conversation and joins them. He expounds on the profession of pickpocketing. Hossein, naturally sensitive to his social status, is somewhat offended by the con artist's automatic classification of him and Ali as mere pickpockets. However, the con artist makes one point which can be taken as something of a universal truth: “If you want to arrest a thief, you’ll have to arrest the world.” Later on, Hossein and Ali attempt to visit the jeweler's shop but are prevented from entering by "The Jeweler." That night, Hossein reports for work as a pizza delivery man. It appears that Hossein is also dealing with some mental stability issues relating to either his war experience, his medication, or both. His first delivery is to a former war buddy, who gives him an oversize tip out of sympathy. His next delivery is the to site of a raucous block party in one of the more wealthy districts of Tehran, which has been staked out by the police. The police prevent Hossein from making the delivery, but also detain him--presumably until the party breaks up, expected to be around 4