It was a turbulent year for Iran, a nation that was shaken by protests following the death of 22-year-old Masha Amini in September. Many have demonstrated against the country’s hijab laws and shown signs of solidarity with the female population in Iran.
Despite high levels of censorship, Iranian films have drawn international attention over the years and offer cinema enthusiasts a unique opportunity to discover a vivid film language, as well as a window into a culture that is misunderstood by many in the western world.
Many have probably heard the names of popular Iranian directors such as Majid Majidi, Asgar Farhadi, Marjane Satrapi and Abbas Kiarostami, as these filmmakers have received awards at renowned international film festivals. Like many others, they continue to show the extent to which Iranian filmmaking is flourishing. My colleague even voted for an Iranian gem in 2022 as our best films of the year.
At Christmas, when you can undoubtedly find some free time to sit back after a big meal, we highly recommend that you skip out on the big Hollywood production you want to watch and instead be inspired by our top 10 list of modern Iranian classics.
1- Der Baran (2001)
Many critics and cinema enthusiasts agree that this film is the best Iranian movie of all time. The script, cinematography, and plot twists are absolutely fantastic. “Baran” means “the rain” in Persian, and this 2001 film by Majid Majidi (the first Iranian director nominated for the Academy Awards) tells the story of a construction worker who falls in love with an Afghan worker only to find out that it’s a woman dressed as a man trying to make a living. The film won awards for best film at the Montreal World Film Festival and for best screenplay and best direction at the Gijon International Film Festival. It is a must.
2- A separation (2011)
This drama from 2011 tells the story of a couple who want to separate but are denied a divorce. It also deals with the depression her daughter is going through as well as the plight of a caregiver who was hired to care for her husband’s father, who has Alzheimer’s disease. Beautifully layered and told, it won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012, making it the first Iranian film to win this prize.
3- Persepolis (2007)
This beautiful animated biographical drama film is based on the autobiographical graphic novel of the same name by Marjane Satrapi (who wrote and directed the film). Set against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution, it tells their story of growing up. The film won the jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 and was nominated for the Oscar for best animated film.
4- Marmulak (2004)
The Lizard (in Persian, Marmoulak) is a 2004 Iranian comedy film directed by Kamal Tabrizi. Parviz Parastui plays Reza “the Lizard” Mesghali, a petty thief who escapes from prison and pretends to be a mullah. He has to stay in the role much longer than expected and inadvertently inspires the villagers to do good deeds. This is the first Iranian film to make fun of the mullahs as it satirizes the clergy, religion, Iranian society, and life in general.
5- Chicken with prunes (Poulet aux prunes) (2011)
Although it is a French film and was produced in Germany at Babelsberg Studios in Potsdam, this is on our list as it was directed by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud. Chicken with Plums (Poulet aux prunes) is based on Satrapi’s graphic novel of the same name. It follows how a famous musician, Nasser Ali Khan (Mathieu Amalric), loses his will to live when his violin breaks down. Unable to find a replacement for the instrument, Nasser decides to retreat to his bed and wait to die. It’s a beautifully poetic and essential movie that’s worth your time.
6- Kinder des Himmels (1997)
Another masterpiece by Majid Majidi, Children of Heaven, is an Iranian family drama from 1997 about a brother and sister and their adventures over a lost pair of shoes. He was nominated for the Oscar for the best foreign language film in 1998 and unfortunately lost to the Italian film Life Is Beautiful by Roberto Benigni. After being nominated for an Oscar, the film reached an international audience and was shown in several European, South American and Asian countries between 1999 and 2001.
7- Nahaufnahme (1990)
Abbas Kiarostami’s masterpiece is one of the best examples of an almost seamless fusion of reality and fiction and raises complex questions about identity. When a movie buff pretends to be his favorite director, a series of events unravel as he plans his next fake movie. Surreal enough, the movie is based on a true story and the main actors are in the lead roles. It’s all brilliantly made of metal and a great watch.
8- Offsides (2006)
Attending sporting events is prohibited for women in Iran, but that hasn’t stopped many of them from dressing like men to get in. Jafar Panahi’s touching and insightful film is set during the 2006 World Cup qualifier between Iran and Bahrain and follows several girls who, despite being excluded, cheer on their team as joyfully as any fan.
9- The taste of cherry (1997)
Shot in 1997 by Abbas Kiarostami, this film is profound, frustrating and controversial. The film tells the journey of a man who searches for someone to bury him after taking his own life. However, the movie doesn’t leave any answers in the end — so watch this brilliant movie with all caution. The film won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997, which it shared with Shohei Imamura’s Japanese masterpiece The Eel.
10- The Song of the Sparrows (2008)
When ostrich farm worker Karim (played by Berliner Silbernen Bären, Reza Naji) is forced to find a new job in the city to pay for his daughter’s hearing aid, the rural and urban realms in Iran clash. Thanks to the captivating grace that characterizes Majid Majidi’s films, poverty and unhappiness are viewed here not with compassion, but with an optimistic and unbeaten perspective.
There we have it, and be sure to check out our review of another Iranian classic, this year’s Jaddeh Khaki (Hit The Road), Panah Panahi’s debut film.
Happy shows to you all.
It was a turbulent year for Iran, a nation that was shaken by protests following the death of 22-year-old Masha Amini in September. Many have demonstrated against the country’s hijab laws and shown signs of solidarity with the female population in Iran.
Despite high levels of censorship, Iranian films have drawn international attention over the years and offer cinema enthusiasts a unique opportunity to discover a vivid film language, as well as a window into a culture that is misunderstood by many in the western world.
Many have probably heard the names of popular Iranian directors such as Majid Majidi, Asgar Farhadi, Marjane Satrapi and Abbas Kiarostami, as these filmmakers have received awards at renowned international film festivals. Like many others, they continue to show the extent to which Iranian filmmaking is flourishing. My colleague even voted for an Iranian gem in 2022 as our best films of the year.
At Christmas, when you can undoubtedly find some free time to sit back after a big meal, we highly recommend that you skip out on the big Hollywood production you want to watch and instead be inspired by our top 10 list of modern Iranian classics.
1- Der Baran (2001)
Many critics and cinema enthusiasts agree that this film is the best Iranian movie of all time. The script, cinematography, and plot twists are absolutely fantastic. “Baran” means “the rain” in Persian, and this 2001 film by Majid Majidi (the first Iranian director nominated for the Academy Awards) tells the story of a construction worker who falls in love with an Afghan worker only to find out that it’s a woman dressed as a man trying to make a living. The film won awards for best film at the Montreal World Film Festival and for best screenplay and best direction at the Gijon International Film Festival. It is a must.
2- A separation (2011)
This drama from 2011 tells the story of a couple who want to separate but are denied a divorce. It also deals with the depression her daughter is going through as well as the plight of a caregiver who was hired to care for her husband’s father, who has Alzheimer’s disease. Beautifully layered and told, it won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012, making it the first Iranian film to win this prize.
3- Persepolis (2007)
This beautiful animated biographical drama film is based on the autobiographical graphic novel of the same name by Marjane Satrapi (who wrote and directed the film). Set against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution, it tells their story of growing up. The film won the jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 and was nominated for the Oscar for best animated film.
4- Marmulak (2004)
The Lizard (in Persian, Marmoulak) is a 2004 Iranian comedy film directed by Kamal Tabrizi. Parviz Parastui plays Reza “the Lizard” Mesghali, a petty thief who escapes from prison and pretends to be a mullah. He has to stay in the role much longer than expected and inadvertently inspires the villagers to do good deeds. This is the first Iranian film to make fun of the mullahs as it satirizes the clergy, religion, Iranian society, and life in general.
5- Chicken with prunes (Poulet aux prunes) (2011)
Although it is a French film and was produced in Germany at Babelsberg Studios in Potsdam, this is on our list as it was directed by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud. Chicken with Plums (Poulet aux prunes) is based on Satrapi’s graphic novel of the same name. It follows how a famous musician, Nasser Ali Khan (Mathieu Amalric), loses his will to live when his violin breaks down. Unable to find a replacement for the instrument, Nasser decides to retreat to his bed and wait to die. It’s a beautifully poetic and essential movie that’s worth your time.
6- Kinder des Himmels (1997)
Another masterpiece by Majid Majidi, Children of Heaven, is an Iranian family drama from 1997 about a brother and sister and their adventures over a lost pair of shoes. He was nominated for the Oscar for the best foreign language film in 1998 and unfortunately lost to the Italian film Life Is Beautiful by Roberto Benigni. After being nominated for an Oscar, the film reached an international audience and was shown in several European, South American and Asian countries between 1999 and 2001.
7- Nahaufnahme (1990)
Abbas Kiarostami’s masterpiece is one of the best examples of an almost seamless fusion of reality and fiction and raises complex questions about identity. When a movie buff pretends to be his favorite director, a series of events unravel as he plans his next fake movie. Surreal enough, the movie is based on a true story and the main actors are in the lead roles. It’s all brilliantly made of metal and a great watch.
8- Offsides (2006)
Attending sporting events is prohibited for women in Iran, but that hasn’t stopped many of them from dressing like men to get in. Jafar Panahi’s touching and insightful film is set during the 2006 World Cup qualifier between Iran and Bahrain and follows several girls who, despite being excluded, cheer on their team as joyfully as any fan.
9- The taste of cherry (1997)
Dieser 1997 von Abbas Kiarostami gedrehte Film ist tiefgründig, frustrierend und kontrovers. Der Film erzählt die Reise eines Mannes, der nach jemandem sucht, der ihn beerdigt, nachdem er sich das Leben genommen hat. Der Film hinterlässt jedoch am Ende keine Antworten — schauen Sie sich diesen brillanten Film also mit aller Vorsicht an. Der Film gewann 1997 die Goldene Palme bei den Filmfestspielen von Cannes, die er sich mit Shohei Imamuras japanischem Meisterwerk The Eel teilte.
10- The Song of the Sparrows (2008)
Als der Straußenfarmarbeiter Karim (gespielt vom Berliner Silbernen Bären, Reza Naji) gezwungen ist, einen neuen Job in der Stadt zu finden, um das Hörgerät seiner Tochter zu bezahlen, prallen die ländlichen und städtischen Gefilde im Iran aufeinander. Dank der fesselnden Anmut, die Majid Majidis Filme auszeichnet, werden Armut und Unglück hier nicht mit Mitleid, sondern mit einer optimistischen und ungeschlagenen Perspektive betrachtet.
There we have it, and be sure to check out our review of another Iranian classic, this year’s Jaddeh Khaki (Hit The Road), Panah Panahi’s debut film.
Happy shows to you all.