Terrestrial Verses

A satirical take on the mundane absurdities of life in modern-day Iran, these nine vignettes illuminate the lighter side of enduring under authoritarian rule. Whether choosing a name for a newborn, graduating from grade school, getting a driver’s license, applying for a job, or seeking approval for a film script, if you live in Iran, you best come fluent in Orwellian discourse. Progressing along a rough timeline from birth to death, each story is shot in a static camera angle as a single petitioner negotiates with an authority figure hoverin...

A Mother's Love

In this Iranian film, social worker Mina (Fateme Motamed-Aria) tells the reformatory head they should offer genuine emotional feedback to their charges, but she withdraws when the reality of such idealistic proposals becomes evident. Young Medhi (Hussein Soleimani) is troubled after the death of his mother. He views Mina as the mother he needs, but Mina is wary. Shown at the 1998 Fajr Film Festival.

Bam Bala

The film "Bam Bala" is the story of siblings named Hina and Amir Ali, who seek help from a doll named Bam Bala to reconcile their parents. Bam Bala is a doll that helps all children achieve their dreams. In a part of the film, all the adults in the city are turned into statues by his hand so that the children can do whatever they want happily and regardless of their concerns.