116 Essential Iranian Films

Through the Olive Trees

1994 • 104 min • Box office $40K

Drama, Romance

Tony Armas II's independent film *Life, and Nothing More* (1992) follows the director as he encounters unexpected difficulties while working to film a challenging scene. The movie examines perseverance, creativity, and human connection as Armas struggles with setbacks that threaten…

7.4

7.7

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Hemlock

2000 • 101 min

After his business partner is injured in a car crash, Mahmoud (Fariborz Arabnia), who is happily married, travels to Tehran and meets the captivating Sima (Hedye Tehrani). They decide on a "temporary marriage," but Sima resists the idea of it…

4.9

6.5

The Report

1977 • 112 min

A tax collector faces accusations of bribery while struggling with difficulties in his personal life.

6.7

6.8

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Croesus' Treasure

1965 • 122 min

Desperate to end his life, the wealthy Qarun is rescued by two impoverished men, Ali Bigham and his companion Hassan Jeghjeghe. While caring for Qarun, the pair expose him to a world beyond his own, revealing the realities of poverty…

4.3

6.2

Strait

1973 • 102 min

Ali gets into a fight with three brothers, accidentally killing one. He then flees to escape the consequences.

5.6

6.7

Haji Agha, the Cinema Actor

1934 • 75 min

Director Ovanes Ohanian seeks a subject for his next film, and is advised to secretly film the wealthy and cinema-averse Haji Agha. With the help of Haji's daughter, son-in-law, and servant, the director captures footage of the man. When Haji's…

5.2

7.9

Qeysar

1969 • 100 min

Driven by vengeance for his murdered sister and brother, a young man embarks on a path of retribution.

6.9

7.5

The Pear Tree

1998 • 95 min

Writer Mahmoud is blocked on his current book and seeks respite at his family's rural estate north of Tehran, hoping to finish it there. At the estate, the old gardener directs his attention to an ancient pear tree. This prompts…

6.7

7.4

Harmonica

1974 • 75 min

"Harmonica," set on Iran's southern coast, follows a young boy who receives a harmonica as a gift from overseas. He becomes the center of attention among his friends, who vie for the chance to play it. Their playful competition gradually…

6.9

7.4

Deep Breath

2003 • 85 min

Two men, both estranged from their families in distinct ways, navigate a life of poverty in a sprawling city. One finds love, while the other struggles with addiction.

6.9

7.3

The House Is Black

1963 • 21 min

Documentary

"The House is Black" takes viewers to a remote community in northern Iran where people with leprosy live together, seeking comfort amidst their illness. This documentary offers an unvarnished look at life in the colony, contrasting the difficult realities faced…

7.4

7.8

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The Wolf's Trail

1993 • 92 min

Reza and Sadegh-Khan are longtime friends involved in illegal activities. The day after Reza's wedding, he's arrested while carrying the body of one of his associates and sentenced to prison. After years of incarceration, he's released and establishes a quiet…

4.8

5.3

Low Heights

2002 • 115 min

Driven by desperation, a man plans to hijack a plane to escape Iran and find a medical treatment for his ailing son.

7.2

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The Last Act

1991 • 105 min

In a grand but decaying Tehran mansion, middle-aged siblings Kamran and Moluk struggle to make ends meet by selling furniture. Their lives are upended by the sudden death of their brother, who left the house to his widow, Forugh, who…

6.0

7.3

Travelers

1992 • 90 min

On her wedding day, a young woman's joy is shattered when her sister and family are killed in a car crash en route to the ceremony. Her mother, refusing to accept the loss, insists the wedding proceed. Surrounded by guests…

6.5

7.4

The Cyclist

1989 • 79 min

In Iran, Afghan immigrant Nasim's wife is seriously ill, and he desperately needs money for her treatment. His work digging wells doesn't provide enough. A friend connects him with a shady promoter who offers a way to earn money: riding…

6.7

7.2

Leily is with Me

1996 • 90 min

Set against the backdrop of the Iran-Iraq War, a television cinematographer facing financial difficulties seeks a loan from his network to finish his apartment. A colleague suggests he travel to the war zone, ostensibly to film a documentary about Iraqi…

6.9

7.5

Ten

2002 • 94 min • Box office $105K

Drama

This film presents a visual exploration of modern society through ten conversations between a woman who is driving and the people she picks up along the way.

7.3

7.4

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Smell of Camphor, Fragrance of Jasmine

2000 • 93 min

Haunted by past failures and living in the shadow of his wife's death, director Bahman is working on a documentary about Iranian burial rituals for a Japanese television network. On the anniversary of her passing, a chance encounter with a…

6.3

6.6

The May Lady

1998 • 88 min

Forough Kia, a divorced filmmaker living with her son Maani, sets out to make a documentary about perfect mothers. She interviews numerous mothers, attempting to select one as the ideal. Overwhelmed, Forough eventually abandons the project, but Dr. Rahbar encourages…

5.8

6.5

Where Is The Friend's House?

1987 • 83 min

Drama, Family, Adventure

An eight-year-old boy's accidental discovery of his best friend's notebook leads to a difficult situation. He learns that failing to return it by the next day could mean his friend's expulsion from school. The story follows the boy as he…

7.9

8.1

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Gilaneh

2005 • 84 min

Against the backdrop of the Iran-Iraq War in 1988, Gilane bravely journeys with her pregnant daughter, Maygol, from their peaceful village to the dangerous capital of Tehran. They seek Maygol's husband, Rahman, but face a grim reality upon arrival. Fifteen…

5.8

6.7

Under the Skin of the City

2005 • 92 min

In Iran, Tuba endures a difficult life working long hours at a textile factory. Each night, she returns to a challenging home filled with family struggles: her daughter is pregnant and suffers abuse from her husband; her teenage son is…

7.0

7.2

Life, and Nothing More…

1992 • 95 min

Drama, Adventure

Following the Guilan earthquake, a film director travels with his son to find actors from a movie he shot there years ago. Searching through the ruins, they meet survivors who have suffered immense loss but still maintain hope. The director…

7.7

7.8

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The Immigrant

1990 • 95 min

A pilot who uses small planes to locate the Iraqi front lines finds himself stranded and in danger of not being able to return home.

4.8

5.8

Ashkan, the Charmed Ring and Other Stories

2009 • 92 min

The lives of several individuals become intertwined when a peculiar event occurs: a rare fish is released, and a ring with unusual properties is stolen. Among those affected are two blind jewel thieves, a young man struggling with suicidal thoughts,…

5.5

6.7

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About Elly

2009 • 119 min

Drama

During a picnic in northern Iran, a kindergarten teacher vanishes without a trace, and her friends find themselves caught in a string of unexpected problems.

7.5

7.9

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Close-Up

1990 • 98 min

Crime, Drama

This film blends fiction and documentary to examine deep ideas through a remarkable true story: a young man's arrest for pretending to be the famous director Mohsen Makhmalbaf. By including the real people involved, the film offers a complex look…

8.0

8.2

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Under the Moonlight

2001 • 96 min

Seyyed Hassan, a young seminary student on the verge of becoming a cleric, has his belongings stolen by a young boy. Determined to find the thief, he ventures into the suburbs, encountering people who have no experience with clerics or…

4.9

6.9

Taste of Cherry

1997 • 100 min

Drama

In Tehran, Mr. Badii, a middle-aged man with financial security, decides he wants to die and seeks someone to bury him. His search for this person becomes a journey of unexpected connection. He meets many people, including a Muslim student…

7.7

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Maybe Some Other Time

1988 • 159 min

Susan Taslimi portrays three characters: Kian, grappling with questions of self; Vida, her confident artist twin sister; and their mother. Driven by fear of poverty, the mother gives up one daughter, later regretting her decision and withholding affection from the…

5.2

7.1

The Cycle

1978 • 101 min

Ali and his father travel from their impoverished neighborhood to a hospital for his father's medical treatment. Lacking funds, Ali begins working for Dr. Sameri, who is involved in the blood trade.

6.7

7.3

Anxiety

1962 • 95 min

Behrouz, a crime novelist, is married to Roxanne and manages the factory owned by Roxanne's cousin, who died in a workplace accident.

5.0

6.7

Tranquility in the Presence of Others

1972 • 86 min

A retired colonel moves to a quiet town after his daughters work as nurses in Tehran. He later marries a teacher and joins her in the capital, but discovers his daughters have changed. The older daughter tragically takes her own…

5.2

6.8

The Circle

2000 • 90 min

Drama

In modern-day Iran, several women navigate the challenges of a deeply patriarchal society.

6.9

7.4

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The Spring

1973 • 96 min

A man falls in love with a young woman, only to discover she's married to his friend. He learns she's having a secret affair with a carefree young man, meeting him in an abandoned building. Overwhelmed, he takes his own…

5.7

6.4

Child and Exploitation

1982 • 105 min

This film explores the lives of children growing up in the suburbs of a large city, where they live and work.

5.0

6.3

Sara

1993 • 102 min

Sara appears to have the ideal life as a wife and homemaker. When her husband, Hessam, needs urgent medical treatment overseas, she takes on a secret mission to raise the money for it. For three years, she works tirelessly to…

5.6

6.5

Leila

1999 • 125 min

Drama, Romance

This film explores the complicated relationship of a modern Iranian couple navigating tradition and change. They face challenges as they try to reconcile their desires with the beliefs of their families. The husband's determination is tested as his wife more…

7.4

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Tight Spot

1973 • 112 min

Based on Sadegh Chooback's acclaimed novel, the film follows a man driven to seek revenge after being wronged. Director Amir Naderi was inspired to make the movie by Zar Mohammad, a legendary figure from his childhood who bravely fought against…

5.2

7.7

That Which Remains

1995 • 144 min

Set in 1967 and based on Ghassan Kanafani's novel, the film follows a Palestinian couple returning to the devastated city to find their son Farhan, whom they were separated from during the 1948 conflict. Their home is now occupied by…

6.9

7.6

Parrot

1977 • 108 min

In a tough neighborhood, close friends Hashem and Bahman live life. Their world changes when they meet Tuti. Hashem falls in love with her, setting off a series of problems for both of them.

5.0

6.1

The Peddler

1987 • 90 min

This film comprises three episodes depicting the lives of impoverished and desperate people in Iran. The first follows an extremely poor couple with several disabled children who abandon their newborn, hoping for a better life for it. The second centers…

6.6

6.8

A Time for Drunken Horses

2000 • 80 min

Drama, War

Following their father's death, five siblings must learn to fend for themselves in a Kurdish village located on the border between Iran and Iraq.

7.6

7.7

Children of Heaven

1997 • 88 min • Budget $180K • Box office $925K

Drama, Family

A family facing financial difficulties finds themselves in a tough spot when young Zohre loses her shoes. Her older brother Ali accidentally misplaced them, forcing them to share a single pair so Zohre can get to school. This story is…

7.9

8.2

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Still Life

1978 • 90 min

A railway crossing guard and his wife exist in a life of complete isolation and predictability.

6.8

7.6

The Mare

1986 • 108 min

Susan Taslimi stars as a poor single mother who agrees to marry her 13-year-old daughter to a middle-aged man. The exchange is for a mare, intended to provide income and support for her younger children. Director Ali Zhekan depicts the…

5.0

6.9

White Nights

2003 • 103 min

A reserved university professor, devoted to literature and teaching, encounters a young woman whose life has been reshaped by love. She's made a promise to meet her beloved at a specific location for four nights, exactly a year after they…

7.1

7.6

The Tenants

1987 • 109 min

This is a comedic look at the eccentric residents of a Tehran apartment building and the landlord who manages them.

6.0

7.7

Tales of an Island

2000 • 91 min

This anthology film features work from Mohsen Makhmalbaf (director of *Testing Democracy*) and Dariush Mehrjui (director of *Dear Cousin is Lost*).

4.2

5.4

The Longest Night

2001 • 85 min

Unemployed Hamed is left behind when his wife and daughter immigrate to Europe in search of opportunity. Overwhelmed by separation, he isolates himself, seeking to re-evaluate his life through solitary reflection.

6.3

7.0

Beehive

1975 • 112 min

Fresh out of prison, Ebi makes a wager with his friend: he'll visit seven bars, drinking at each, without paying for a single thing.

6.3

7.3

P for Pelican

1972 • 25 min

A reclusive old man lives in a poor neighborhood and tries to teach the local children their letters. When a child suggests using the word "Pelican" for the letter 'P', the hermit ventures to the nearby park to see this…

6.5

7.3

The Red Ribbon

1999 • 95 min

A man and a woman are in conflict over ownership of a piece of land.

5.6

7.0

Takhti

1997 • 100 min

Ali Hatami's film about Iranian wrestling legend Takhti was left incomplete. The Iranian Intelligence Ministry then tasked another director with finishing it. This new director intends to conduct thorough research into Takhti's life, suggesting he faces many obstacles in completing…

3.9

5.2

Unruled Paper

2002 • 115 min

Royaa, a mother of two, pursues her ambition to become a writer, but her life and relationship with her secretive architect husband, Jahaan, become increasingly complicated. The unfolding drama raises doubts about the truth behind their world.

6.4

6.7

From Karkhe to Rhein

1993 • 92 min

Saeed, a veteran with vision problems from the Iran-Iraq War, travels to Germany for medical treatment and recovery. He's reunited with his sister Leyla, who has married a German. The siblings navigate their relationship in a new country as Saeed…

6.3

7.1

Pomegranate and Cane

1989 • 100 min

While searching for inspiration for a play, a photographer encounters an elderly man recovering from a heart attack and attempts to help him. As the photographer tries to uncover the man's identity, he is drawn into the old man’s recollections…

5.8

6.5

Mr. Gullible

1970 • 112 min

A man from a quiet hometown journeys to Tehran with the goal of finding a wife.

4.9

7.0

Night of the Hunchback

1965 • 91 min

Based on a tale from *One Thousand and One Nights*, the story follows the aftermath of an actor's death. It humorously depicts the various mishaps and absurd situations that arise as different individuals acquire and try to get rid of…

5.0

7.2

The Glass Agency

1998 • 108 min

A veteran of the Iran-Iraq War, armed and desperate, takes hostages at a travel agency. He's trying to secure funds for his wounded friend to receive necessary medical care overseas.

6.6

7.7

A Simple Event

1973 • 80 min

This is the story of a ten-year-old Iranian boy living with his mother and father on the northern coast. He assists his father with his illegal fishing and helps his mother with shopping and fetching water. The three share a…

6.0

7.4

Hajji Washington

1983 • 100 min

Hajji Hossein-Gholi Noori (Haji Baba) travels to Washington D.C. To become Iran's first ambassador to the United States. Following the opening of the embassy, he finds himself unable to secure visits from American officials. Due to the Persian government's failure…

5.4

7.0

Desiderium

1977 • 120 min

Desiderium follows the ill-fated romances of three brothers. Majid, the youngest and physically disabled, falls for Aghdas, a woman hired by his brother Habib to entertain him, unaware of her profession. Karim, the middle brother, is consumed by affection for…

6.7

8.1

The Brick and the Mirror

1966 • 131 min

Hashem, a taxi driver, discovers an abandoned baby in the back seat of his cab after giving a ride to a young woman. He and his girlfriend, Taji, struggle to decide what to do with the unexpected child. Hashem wants…

7.8

7.5

Nargess

1992 • 100 min

This film offers a keen observation of individuals who exist beyond the boundaries of Islamic law.

6.0

6.6

Under the Skin of the Night

1974 • 95 min

During his everyday walks, Ghasem Siah, a young man without a job who lives on the streets, meets a young American tourist spending her final day in Tehran. Despite not sharing a common language, they form a friendship, and she…

5.7

7.2

Dead End

1977 • 95 min

Living with her mother at the end of a quiet street, a young woman becomes aware of a man who consistently watches her room from across the street. Gradually, she becomes accustomed to his presence and develops feelings for him.

7.3

Turtles Can Fly

2005 • 98 min • Box office $1M

Drama

Turtles Can Fly follows a group of young children living near the Turkey-Iraq border. They spend their days clearing landmines, patiently awaiting the end of Saddam Hussein's rule.

7.8

8.0

13+

Kimia

1995 • 92 min

Amidst the chaos of the Iran-Iraq War, Reza’s wife dies shortly after giving birth to their child. Reza is captured as a prisoner of war. Years later, Shokooh discovers Reza’s daughter and raises her as her own. Eventually, Reza is…

4.2

6.2

Captain Khorshid

1987 • 117 min

Captain Khorshid, a one-armed sailor, skillfully navigates his small boat. In his village, a harsh climate and difficult life lead to dangerous criminals being exiled there. Seeking a way to escape, they approach a broker to arrange passage with Khorshid.…

6.2

7.4

Green Ashes

1994 • 98 min

Filmmaker Hadi travels to Croatia to finish research for his movie. Before he leaves, his friend Aziz gives him a cassette tape, a photograph, and a fragment of a plaque – clues to find a woman named Fatima. With the…

5.3

6.0

The Raven

1977 • 120 min

While searching for a new story for his TV show, Mr. Esalat sees a newspaper ad about a missing girl. The girl's picture looks strangely familiar. His wife, Asieh, a teacher, often transcribes his mother’s old diary at home. When…

6.0

7.3

The Wind Will Carry Us

1999 • 118 min • Box office $259K

Drama

An urban engineer named Behzad travels to a remote village in Iran to care for a sick relative. Adjusting to the village's customs, he undergoes a personal transformation as he navigates unfamiliar traditions. The film explores cultural differences and the…

7.1

7.4

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The Night It Rained

1967 • 35 min

Originally prohibited for seven years, the film presents the disputed and controversial account from a newspaper about a young man who saved a train from disaster as a complex, multi-perspective story, similar to Rashomon.

6.2

7.4

The Blue-Veiled

1995 • 85 min

Following his wife's passing, a tomato farm and sauce factory owner finds himself falling for one of his workers. This sparks conflict with his daughters and in-laws, who try to convince him to end the relationship. Ultimately, the elderly man…

5.0

6.8

Snake's Fang

1990 • 105 min

Reza, a print house worker whose job has damaged his eyesight, loses his mother and leaves home overwhelmed with grief. He finds refuge in a hostel, sharing a room with Ahmad, a man caring for orphaned children affected by war.…

5.0

6.2

Dash Akol

1971 • 95 min

In Shiraz, Dash Akol is admired as an honest man who lost his family's wealth assisting others. He has a rival in Kaka Rostam, a cruel and malicious individual. Dash Akol, in his forties, finds himself falling for Marjan, the…

5.7

7.1

The Need

1992 • 82 min

To support his mother, Ali seeks employment. His uncle secures him a position at a print shop, only to discover the job was already promised to someone else.

4.8

7.0

Homework

1989 • 78 min

Documentary

This documentary explores the lives of Iranian schoolboys as they discuss their experiences with homework. The film offers a direct look at how academic pressures shape their lives. Through personal interviews, viewers see how homework affects their well-being, relationships, and…

7.5

7.7

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The Runner

1984 • 94 min

Amiro, an orphaned boy, lives a solitary life in a derelict tanker in Abadan, Iran. He earns a living shining shoes, selling water, and collecting recyclable bottles. He often clashes with both adults and other children, but finds comfort in…

7.2

7.6

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Water, Wind, Dust

2000 • 75 min

A teenage boy returns to his village in Iran only to discover it's deserted due to a devastating drought. He embarks on a search for his family, navigating a strikingly barren landscape. The film explores the conflict between humanity and…

5.7

6.9

The Color of Paradise

1999 • 88 min

Family, Drama

This moving story centers on Mohammed, a young blind boy living in Tehran. After finishing school for the visually impaired, he gets a summer break he's been looking forward to. But this time off becomes difficult as his father struggles…

7.6

8.1

Mother

1990 • 108 min

The film follows two connected storylines. One centers on a family of young people reuniting with their aging mother, sharing cherished childhood memories. The other depicts the elderly woman preparing for her final journey and happily participating in the arrangements…

7.6

8.4

Mum's Guest

2004 • 108 min

A struggling mother is preparing for a dinner party with guests, but she's overwhelmed by the challenge of putting everything together with very little to work with.

6.2

7.2

South of the City

1958

Effat recounts her life to Mahmoud, hoping to persuade him to reconsider his decision to divorce his wife.

5.7

6.1

Journey

1972 • 34 min

Two impoverished boys embark on a journey from downtown to uptown in search of their father. Driven by hunger, they navigate a series of challenging encounters and dangerous locations throughout the night. Their daily quest becomes a desperate search for…

6.0

7.2

The White Balloon

1995 • 85 min

Drama, Family

A young girl sets out to buy a goldfish for her aquarium, unaware that strangers will try to take advantage of her naivete. As she walks through the city with her savings, she encounters different people who show her both…

7.4

7.6

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Knucklebones

1971 • 98 min

Borzoo’s wife is unhappy with his gambling. He resolves to stop, making a personal vow. However, his friend Ali desperately needs money for his sister's wedding. Borzoo breaks his vow to gamble and provides the funds. This decision unleashes unforeseen…

5.0

6.4

The Mongols

1973 • 92 min

A television series director, struggling to finish his first feature film screenplay, is assigned to oversee the setup of a television relay station in a remote area of Zahedan province. He has already hired local Turkmen and chosen the filming…

7.4

6.6

Boutique

2003 • 113 min

A clothing store worker named Jahan encounters a young woman named Eti who is struggling with poverty. Jahan attempts to assist Eti and resolve her difficulties, but…

7.0

6.5

Downpour

1972 • 130 min

Moving to a new neighborhood for a teaching position, the awkward and bookish Mr. Hekmati struggles to fit in.

6.4

7.2

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Journey to Chazzabeh

1996 • 84 min

Vahid is making a film about the war and asks his musician friend, Ali, to compose the theme music. Ali is hesitant, so they travel together to visit the actual locations of the conflict.

5.7

Once Upon a Time, Cinema

1992 • 92 min

The film centers on The Cinematographer, who searches for a woman named Atieh (Future). When he calls out her name, he is magically transported from early 20th-century times to 19th-century Iran, during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah. Captured by…

6.3

7.3

Bashu, the Little Stranger

1991 • 120 min

Amidst the chaos of the Iran-Iraq War, young Bashu is orphaned and homeless. Fleeing the destruction, he hides on a truck and ends up in a region of the country vastly different from his own. There, he encounters Naii, a…

7.3

8.0

Salaam Cinema

1995 • 75 min

Documentary, Drama, Comedy

Director Makhmalbaf breaks from tradition by holding open auditions, attracting hundreds of hopefuls. Instead of rejecting this large response, he chooses to make a film about the casting process itself – the screen tests and the people who take part.…

6.5

7.6

Marriage of the Blessed

1989 • 75 min

Haji returns from the Iraq War deeply traumatized and struggles to readjust to civilian life. His fiancée supports him as they both defy their families and the government to forge their own path.

6.3

6.6

The Cow

1969 • 105 min

Drama

In a peaceful village, an old farmer shares a deep bond with his beloved cow. He must leave the cow with neighbors for a short trip to the city. But when he returns, he learns the cow has died while…

7.7

7.8

So Close, So Far

2005 • 121 min

Dr. Alam, a highly respected neurologist and surgeon, has become so consumed by his career and social life that he's drifted apart from his son. On his son's birthday, Dr. Alam learns a startling truth about his son's health, prompting…

6.9

7.4

100

A Party in Hell

1957 • 111 min

Haji Jabbar, a wealthy man often criticized for his greed, plans to marry his daughter Parvin to an older, wealthy man. He ignores the love between Parvin and her cousin and neglects his son Hamid, who is struggling with mental…

4.6

6.3

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