The Lizard

The satirical commentary on clergymen in post-revolutionary Iran. While in prison, petty criminal Reza (Parviz Parastui) comes across a clergyman, sparking a plan for escape. Reza dons his new acquaintance's clerical robes and makes a bid for freedom. He soon learns that being a clergyman brings little respect from the public. Reza travels to the outlying villages, from where he plots to escape the country. However, his plans must be put on hold when the villagers accept him into their community and expect him to perform religious duties. Wi...

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.

Sheyda

Farhad has lost his eyesight due to an injury sustained in battle. As part of his recovery, he is transferred to a temporary hospital, where he encounters young nurse Sheida. Sheida is surprised by his tolerance to the pain of his injury, but soon realises that her recitation of Quran verses has a miraculous calming effect on him. And as the two start to grow closer and Farhad begins to heal, they find themselves on the path between faith and hope, and the true nature of both is revealed to them.