Movies About Iran

From Bahman Ghobadi, starring Soran Ebrahim, Avaz Latif, Saddam Hossein Feysal, Hiresh Feysal Rahman
Rated PG-13

Turtles Can Fly is a powerful and moving 2004 Iranian drama directed by Bahman Ghobadi about a group of Kurdish refugee children living on the Iraq-Turkey border during the 2003 Iraq War. The story follows a 13-year-old boy, Satellite, who is the leader of the children and helps them prepare for the impending war. As the war approaches, Satellite and the other children struggle with the intense realities of war, and the struggles of everyday life. The film follows the journey of Satellite and his friends as they cope with the physical and emotional destruction of war. Along the way, they must make difficult decisions, while savoring what little joy they can find in their lives. Turtles Can Fly is a powerful examination of the devastating consequences of war, and an uplifting story of resilience and hope.

From Mohsen Makhmalbaf, starring Mirhadi Tayebi, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Ali Bakhsi, Ammar Tafti Dehghan
Rated Not Rated

A Moment of Innocence is a meta-fictional drama by Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf. This autobiographical film tells the story of Makhmalbaf's experience as a young man when he stabbed a police officer and his subsequent prison sentence. The film follows the director as he attempts to recreate the event years later with the same actor playing himself and the same police officer. The police officer is hesitant at first, but eventually agrees to participate in the film in order to provide closure to the past. The two men discuss their pasts and come to understand each other better, resolving the differences between them. The film ultimately serves to explore themes of forgiveness and redemption, as well as the power of art to bridge divides and heal wounds. By recreating the event, Makhmalbaf and the police officer are able to move past their traumatic past and come to an understanding.

From Bahman Ghobadi, starring Ayoub Ahmadi, Rojin Younessi, Amaneh Ekhtiar-dini, Madi Ekhtiar-dini
Rated Not Rated

A Time for Drunken Horses is a heart wrenching Iranian drama directed by Bahman Ghobadi. It follows the story of a group of Kurdish children living in a remote area of Iran near the Iraqi border who must try and make ends meet after the death of their father. The eldest of the children, Ayoub, is forced to take on the responsibility of caring for his five siblings and his disabled brother Madi. With little money and few resources, Ayoub is forced to smuggle goods across the mountains, often taking dangerous and illegal routes. The siblings must rely on the help of their donkey to make the treacherous journey, and Ayoub even turns to alcohol to keep the donkey going through the cold winter nights. The family’s story is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit, as they struggle to survive in the face of hardship and dire poverty.

From Abbas Kiarostami, starring Behzad Dorani, Noghre Asadi, Roushan Karam Elmi, Bahman Ghobadi
Rated Not Rated

From Jafar Panahi, starring Sima Mobarak-Shahi, Shayesteh Irani, Ayda Sadeqi, Mohammad Asarian
Rated PG

From Majid Majidi, starring Parviz Parastui, Roya Taymourian, Soghra Obeisi, Mohammad Amir Naji
Rated PG

From Mohammad Rasoulof, starring Reza Akhlaghirad, Soudabeh Beizaee, Nasim Adabi, Zeinab Shabani
Rated PG-13

From Ana Lily Amirpour, starring Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi, Marshall Manesh, Mozhan Marnò
Rated Not Rated

From Maryam Keshavarz, starring Sarah Kazemy, Nikohl Boosheri, Reza Sixo Safai, Soheil Parsa
Rated R

From Ana Lily Amirpour, starring Suki Waterhouse, Jason Momoa, Jayda Fink, Keanu Reeves
Rated R