135 Persian Films to Discover

Orange Suit

2012 • 107 min

Hamed Aban, a professional photographer, experiences a profound shift in his life after his son's teacher gifts him a book about environmental conservation. This inspires him to take a job with the municipality, donning an orange uniform and working alongside…

6.1

4.7

The Singer

2020 • 107 min

An Iranian family travels to Istanbul, Turkey. Ibrahim, a nightclub singer, is being sidelined by the 1979 revolution, a fate shared by many artists of his time. However, since he wasn't widely known, he can't find work as a singer…

3.1

4.4

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I Feel Sleepy

2012 • 90 min

Reza, a kind but socially awkward middle-aged teacher, struggles to connect with women. His life changes when he encounters a woman who works selling gummies.

4.4

5.6

In the Name of the Father

2006 • 96 min

A father and daughter grapple with the aftermath of the Iran-Iraq War, where the daughter sustained injuries in the mines.

5.6

5.9

Under the Peach Tree

2006 • 95 min

4.2

5.8

The Salesman

2016 • 125 min • Box office $6M

Drama, Thriller

Emad and Rana are displaced from their apartment because of risky construction next door and relocate to a new home in central Tehran. An event connected to the previous occupant of their new apartment profoundly alters the lives of the…

7.3

7.7

13+

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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

Rahman 1400

2019 • 110 min

Rahman, a company caretaker, learns from a doctor that he doesn't have much time left. Determined to provide for his family, he teams up with his friend Anush to devise a plan to secure some money for them.

4.1

4.5

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3 Degrees of Fever

2011 • 80 min

Elham is about to marry a wealthy young man. However, his mother tells her she dislikes Elham's nose and insists she get plastic surgery to fix it before the wedding. Elham proceeds with the surgery...

1.0

2.8

Women Are From Venus, Men Are From Mars

2011 • 97 min

Believing his wife died on a European trip, Saeed remarries. However, his life is upended when his wife is discovered to be alive, forcing him to confront a series of complications.

2.0

3.3

Saint Petersburg

2010 • 120 min

A recently released convict and a seemingly wealthy young man unexpectedly discover the location of a long-lost treasure belonging to the Tsar.

5.5

6.4

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The President's Cell Phone

2012 • 83 min

A quiet, unassuming worker dreams of owning a cell phone. He visits a secondhand store, intending to purchase a used device. Through a series of unforeseen circumstances, he inadvertently ends up buying the pre-owned cell phone belonging to the President.

2.0

4.3

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A Hat for Baran

2007 • 94 min

Baran employs Ebi as a way to get Pirooz to notice her and persuade him to marry her.

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Sperm Whale

2015 • 87 min

Arjang has loved his childhood sweetheart, Roya, for forty years, since before the Iranian revolution. Their relationship has consistently brought him hardship. Now fifty, and having lived through a revolution, a war, a divorce, and both poverty and prosperity, Arjang…

4.9

6.3

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The Pastry Girl

2002 • 105 min

This is a story about marriage. A young man and woman from different families want to marry, but their wedding has been delayed for twenty years due to ongoing conflict between their parents. The disagreements escalate, and ultimately, the couple…

2.0

5.7

The Grand Day

1989 • 110 min

Before the Iranian Revolution, bicycling champion Gol Aqa (Ali Reza Khamseh) was celebrated upon his return to Semnan after winning a gold medal at the Asian Games. Local officials promptly arranged for him to attend a welcoming ceremony for Ashraf…

2.0

5.5

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

Leaning on the Wind

2000 • 90 min

A young man journeys from his quiet village to Tehran seeking work. He says goodbye to his mother and fiancée, vowing to return after earning enough for their wedding. He becomes absorbed in his new life in the city and…

2.0

4.4

Sperm Whale: Roya's Selection

2017 • 82 min

Arjang, a 50-year-old man, has loved Roya since childhood, but circumstances prevented them from marrying. Roya later moves to the United States with her family due to social restrictions of the 1980s. Arjang, who has never forgotten her, encounters Roya…

3.8

5.3

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Salaam Mumbai

2016 • 120 min

Ali, an Iranian medical student in Mumbai specializing in cardiology, unexpectedly saves his classmate Karishma from a suicide attempt. As they connect, Ali gently encourages Karishma, helping her find hope and happiness. Their growing bond blossoms into love.

2.5

3.7

Superstar

2009 • 102 min

A self-absorbed movie star's world is upended by the arrival of a teenage girl.

6.1

6.0

Deportees

2007 • 104 min

The film follows a group of men who enlist to fight in the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). The protagonist, Suzuki, joins with the intention of proving himself worthy to his beloved's father, hoping to secure her hand in marriage. During the…

5.8

5.1

The Beautiful Chauffeur

1970 • 92 min

The film follows Fatma, a young woman who arrives in Istanbul from Tehran after a tragic accident claims her family. She hopes to find her uncle and inherit her father's estate. While she locates her uncle, the inheritance is not…

2.0

5.3

The Guidance Patrol 2

2017 • 93 min

After serving five years in prison, Abbas and Hassan are released and visit their friend Atta, who has recently awakened from a coma and is recovering. The three friends reunite and search for legitimate work, but their efforts are unsuccessful.

5.1

4.6

Taleh

2005 • 90 min

Taleh follows a young couple on their first night together, which is unexpectedly disrupted when they break up over the phone with a stranger.

—

3.9

Tehran 1500

2013

Set in Tehran in the year 2121, this animated film follows the life of Akbar Agha (Mehran Modiri) as he navigates complex social and cultural issues.

3.6

4.5

10 Raghami

2008 • 90 min

Firooz is one of thirteen young thieves who survive by pilfering inexpensive goods. One night, he and his friends break into a house to steal a carpet, unaware that it's worth one billion tomans.

2.0

3.1

Khaltoor

2018 • 90 min

Three young musicians strive to authentically capture the energy of street music. However, their lack of audience connection leads to unemployment. Their lives then change when they meet a wealthy individual.

1.5

—

Thief of Dolls

1990 • 90 min

Leila and Bahram’s mother plans to save them from their troubles by taking out a mortgage and buying a house. However, the hangman who lives outside town opposes their peaceful plans.

5.3

6.3

Mask

2005 • 90 min

An Iranian restaurant owner falls for a beautiful woman who is the sole heir to a fortune. As they grow closer, he introduces her to his charming best friend, Nima.

8.0

6.1

No Men Allowed

2011 • 102 min

To prepare her top students for the Chemistry Olympiad, the strict headmistress Ms. Darabi breaks her rule against male teachers and hires the clumsy Mr. Jebeli. Unbeknownst to her, a group of her students, led by the confident Paria, are…

6.1

6.7

The Last Supper

2002 • 96 min

Professor Mrs. Mashreghi, a respected university faculty member, is divorced and enjoying a fulfilling life. However, her happiness is disrupted when one of her students, close to her daughter's age, develops romantic feelings for her. This love is met with…

5.6

6.0

Law of Tehran

2019 • 134 min • Box office $1M

Action, Crime, Drama

Samad, a seasoned narcotics officer, is weary of drug dealers' deception. As he and his partner Hamid hunt for the notorious drug lord Nasser Khakzad, they disrupt a crowded prison in Tehran. Samad's unconventional methods lead him to Khakzad's location,…

7.2

7.7

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+10

Apartment No.13

1990 • 98 min

Mashallah Iranmanesh travels to Tehran from his hometown of Kerman to sell an apartment he inherited. He plans to use the proceeds to marry the woman he loves and start a workshop. However, difficulties arise due to problematic neighbors, disrupting…

7.0

5.9

Doll

2009 • 90 min

Fereshteh meets Khosro Khosravi through her cousin Magie and accepts his marriage proposal. Although Fereshteh was previously married and her husband died young, she agrees to marry Khosro because of his wealth and her family's financial difficulties. Magie later uncovers…

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Wooden Bridge

2012 • 98 min

A young couple dreams of leaving their homeland and starting a new life elsewhere. However, the unexpected arrival of Nazli throws their plans into turmoil.

3.3

5.6

Drown

2020 • 120 min

Following the release of a video showing his wife in a women-only swimming pool, Parvaneh is murdered by her husband, Hashem. He wants to restore his reputation as a powerful figure in the community. Hashem’s brother, Hojat, journeys into Tehran's…

6.6

7.4

Deportees 2

2009 • 114 min

Deportees is a 2007 Iranian film written and directed by Masoud Dehnamaki. The story takes place during the Iran-Iraq War and follows the experiences of those who are deported.

4.1

3.2

Two and a Half Men

1991 • 90 min

In Tehran, Khosrow and Alireza live a quiet life. One day, the carriage of a one-year-old girl named Parisa stops in front of their house after traveling a few blocks. Assuming she's abandoned, they decide to care for her. Eventually,…

4.2

5.6

The Stoning of Soraya M.

2009 • 114 min • Box office $1M

Crime, Drama

In 1986 Iran, Sahebjam's car breaks down in a remote village, where he meets Zahra. Zahra tells him the story of her niece, Soraya, whose arranged marriage to an abusive man ended tragically.

7.6

7.9

17+

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Sun Children

2021 • 99 min

Drama

Twelve-year-old Ali and his three friends struggle to survive, working odd jobs and taking small risks to help their families. Their lives change when Ali is unexpectedly asked to find hidden treasure buried underground. He gathers his friends for the…

7.0

7.1

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A Girl in the Cage

2002 • 104 min

Nader and his cousin Azar, who are deeply in love and planning to marry, devise a scheme to steal their family's ancestral crown and sword from a museum.

—

3.2

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

Coma

2004 • 84 min

This comedy follows Amir, the charming and spoiled son of a millionaire, as he pursues a remarkable woman. His pursuit becomes unexpectedly challenging due to her strong personality and the interference of a group of spirited young people. Will Amir…

5.6

5.5

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

The Fateful Day

1995 • 105 min

Abdollah is about to marry the woman he loves. But during his wedding, he hears pleas for assistance and departs the ceremony to uncover the truth behind them.

7.5

7.3

The Sweet Smell of Life

1994 • 100 min

Twin brothers Kamal and Jamal, though alike in appearance, have distinct personalities. Jamal, a hospital assistant, discovers an elderly man on the street and saves his life. The old man's brother and his lawyer, a dubious character, then try to…

—

5.9

The Feisty Rooster

2009 • 79 min

Fighting Rooster tells the story of a couple who decide to temporarily swap lives. Experiencing each other's routines and responsibilities leads to a series of surprising and unforeseen events for both of them.

3.0

4.4

I'm Taraneh, 15

2002 • 110 min

Taraneh is a 15-year-old Iranian girl, intelligent and devoted to her family. She works at a photo shop to support her sick grandmother and regularly visits her father, who has been imprisoned for unknown reasons, bringing him cigarettes and magazines.…

6.7

7.1

Deportees 3

2011 • 113 min

With the war concluded, former deportees return home, each seeking to rebuild their lives. A television program seeks to interview these veterans. One man, gravely ill and needing immediate hospitalization, is delayed, bringing his friends – fellow deportees, now marked…

3.7

2.4

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

Absolutely Tame Is a Horse

2011 • 88 min

A corrupt police officer demands a bribe from a desperate man. To get the money by the end of the night, the man must seek help from everyone and do anything necessary.

5.8

6.5

M for Mother

2006 • 113 min

A seemingly idyllic romance takes a dark turn when a couple learns their baby will likely have severe birth defects due to the mother's exposure to chemical weapons during the Iran-Iraq War. The father is reluctant to bring a child…

8.0

7.4

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Six and Five

2011 • 98 min

Two men in prison for theft unexpectedly gain a valuable opportunity. Before he dies, an elderly inmate provides them with a treasure map. Upon their release, the pair sets out to find the treasure, but their quest is not without…

3.2

4.2

Texas 2

2019 • 99 min

Sasan, Bahram, and Alice return to Iran together. Babak's father and Sasan's mother meet them at the airport to take them home, unaware that Sasan and Bahram are married. A mix-up with luggage leads them to encounter a gang, plunging…

4.0

4.1

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

Redhat and Cousin

1994 • 93 min

Kolah Ghermezi is a mischievous schoolboy who gets expelled and struggles to find work. He sees a television program that captures his interest and travels to Tehran. With Pesarkhaleh's assistance, he locates the program and its reporter. Smitten with the…

7.7

8.1

Redhat and Sarvenaz

2002 • 95 min

This lively, live-action puppet film follows a courageous boy who is kidnapped by two bandits. While being taken, he helps a girl who has been confined to her room her whole life. After repeated attempts, Kolah Ghermezi finally passes his…

6.2

6.5

Mind Your Manners

2011 • 78 min

Following a brush with death, Ebi has a vision of heaven. Back on Earth, he meets an unusual angel who warns him about a dark future for a woman he's fallen for. Determined to save her from this fate, Ebi…

3.0

3.9

Deldadeh

2008 • 85 min

A lighthearted Iranian comedy film.

5.5

4.0

Retaliation

1971

4.5

6.2

Texas

2018 • 88 min

Sasan and Bahram are two friends. Sasan is living in Brazil, and Bahram wants to go there as well. Their journey is filled with various challenges and experiences.

2.8

3.5

Under the Shadow

2016 • 84 min

Drama, Horror, War

During the Iran-Iraq War, a missile strikes Shideh's building. A superstitious neighbor believes the missile was cursed and carries evil spirits from the Middle East. She becomes convinced a supernatural force is trying to possess her daughter, Dorsa. To save…

6.5

6.8

13+

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Ice Flower

2005 • 100 min

3.8

4.1

Walnut Tree

2020 • 100 min

Qader, a bricklayer from Sardasht, Kurdistan, Iran, who is expecting his fourth child, unexpectedly becomes caught in a war crime committed by Saddam Hussein's forces. On June 28th, 1987, Iraqi aircraft release mustard gas bombs over the city...

6.9

7.5

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We Are So Cool

2018 • 94 min

This is the story of two friends navigating the challenges of pursuing their ambitions: one striving for a career as a singer, the other aiming to become an actor.

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Tehran Taboo

2017 • 96 min • Box office $349K

Drama, Animation

In Tehran, a vibrant city grappling with the tension between modern life and strict religious law, the lives of three independent women and a young musician intersect. Here, societal rules are often defied, and breaking taboos offers a path to…

7.1

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Companion

1975 • 112 min

After being misled by Mohsen, Aatefeh tries to convince him to marry her. He flees instead, heading north. Determined to win him over, Aatefeh follows. Her wealthy father tasks a young man named Ali with finding her and bringing her…

6.2

6.6

Fireworks Wednesday

2006 • 102 min

Drama

In Tehran, Rouhi, a young woman about to be married, takes a job as a maid for a wealthy family. She's immediately caught in the middle of a volatile domestic situation. The wife believes her husband is cheating and asks…

7.4

7.6

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Barcode

2016 • 100 min

Everyone has a past, and every past shapes who they are. We should be understanding and avoid quick judgments.

4.2

5.8

Love-Stricken

1992 • 91 min

In the Ghajar era of Iran, a group of classical musicians strives to record their debut album. Their pursuit leads them on a journey to France.

7.0

7.4

The Deer

1976 • 120 min

After a bank robbery leaves him wounded, an urban guerrilla seeks shelter with his childhood friend. He finds his friend struggling with addiction. While hiding out, the guerrilla slowly begins to encourage him, helping him rediscover his resolve. Finally, he…

6.8

7.8

Son of Adam Daughter of Eve

2010 • 112 min

Mina Bozorgmehr and Farhood Zandi begin working as lawyers around the same time. They share an apartment, but Mina believes Farhood is a writer and Farhood assumes Mina is a photographer.

6.0

4.7

Shark of the South

1978 • 108 min

Four friends – Akbar, Nader, Abbas, and Reza – who have known each other since childhood, each have a dream they want to realize. Abbas and Nader are pursuing careers that require uniforms, Akbar joins his uncle's smuggling operation, and…

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6.1

Salam bar Eshgh

1974 • 97 min

After his release from prison, Habib Khalkoub marries a singer named Zari. Amir Khan, the cafe manager, tries to win Zari back, leading to a fight with Habib. During the altercation, Amir is shot by someone unknown. Habib is then…

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6.1

Pashneh Tala

1975 • 114 min

Mehdi helps Shirin confront Ata, the man who murdered her father and is attempting to seize her cabaret using fraudulent paperwork. Meanwhile, Mehdi's brother Mahmoud returns to Iran and becomes interested in Homa, a childhood friend. They plan to marry,…

—

5.0

Honeymoon

1976 • 109 min

Reza and his mother Mah Banu share a close bond with Hossein's family, particularly Khan Baba. Reza spends a lot of time with Changiz, Khan Baba's son, and is drawn to Changiz's sister, Mino.

5.3

6.1

Mamal Amricayi

1975

A young man (Behrouz Vossoughi) with aspirations of going to America resorts to theft to gather funds. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a wealthy woman (Gogoosh).

5.0

6.3

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

Canary Yellow

1989 • 100 min

Nasrallah Madadi's life unravels after he spends his entire fortune on a plot of land that was already sold. Desperate for money, he chooses to become a fraudster instead of a victim. He joins forces with criminals and starts a…

4.5

5.6

King of Hearts

1968 • 135 min

A young girl whose mother is blind unexpectedly befriends a well-known and wealthy singer, who then offers to assist her.

7.4

7.0

Wedding Dinner

2006 • 94 min

Two young people from wealthy families fall in love and plan to marry, unaware that both sets of parents are deeply in debt. This situation leads to humorous complications for both couples.

4.0

4.1

The Night

2021 • 105 min • Box office $25K

Horror, Mystery

An Iranian couple in the United States find themselves isolated in a hotel as strange occurrences unfold. Forced to confront the issues that have divided them, they experience a night that seems to have no end.

5.6

5.5

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The ring-necked dove

1970 • 100 min

In Kashan, Seyed Morteza, a pigeon fancier, cares for his blind mother. He unexpectedly captures a highly sought-after ring-necked dove, but his mother views the bird as an ill omen and begs him to release it. Simultaneously, Morteza's uncle, Seyed…

4.8

6.4

50 Kilos of Sour Cherry

2016 • 89 min

During a wedding ceremony, the groom opens fire, causing panic among the guests. Aida and Davoud inadvertently find themselves in a car that crashes into a police vehicle. Aida then lies to the investigating officer, claiming Davoud is her husband,…

4.3

3.8

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

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

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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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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We Like You Miss Yaya

2018 • 80 min

After their father's death, two estranged brothers are drawn into a scheme involving their wife in China. As they pursue this business venture in Pattaya, a reunion with an old friend complicates their plans and stirs up old conflicts.

2.0

2.2

The Shadow of Imagination

1991

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7.3

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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I Love the Earth

1994 • 97 min

A newly arrived alien befriends a local taxi driver. Their friendship leads to a series of humorous escapades as the alien learns about Earthlings and their world. A zany science fiction comedy starring Alireza Khamse.

3.0

5.6

The Guest

2008 • 89 min

A cheerful taxi driver's ordinary life takes an unexpected turn when he picks up a young American woman who has lost her way. Unable to reach her family, she asks for his help, drawing him into a prolonged and unusual…

4.0

4.1

Aquarium

2005

A young racing driver yearns to live in the USA. He travels to Turkey as a stepping stone to reach his goal, but encounters numerous obstacles and hardships in his pursuit.

4.0

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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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Hush! Girls Don't Scream

2013 • 104 min

On the eve of her wedding, Shirin unexpectedly commits murder. This shocking act is a stark contrast to her seemingly ordinary life. The story unfolds to reveal Shirin's history of troubled relationships and deep psychological wounds stemming from two previous…

6.6

6.9

Shishlik

2021 • 100 min

Living in a small town near Tehran, a man driven to rebellion by circumstances orchestrated by his factory boss fights for his family's freedom and that of others.

5.0

6.0

The Harbour

1988 • 90 min

Two teenagers flee their home for Bandar-Abbas, seeking refuge from their father's difficulties. Their father pursues them, eventually locating them in the coastal city. Through a series of events, the family members reconcile and begin to rediscover their appreciation for…

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4.7

100

Holy Spider

2022 • 118 min • Box office $1M

Thriller, Drama, Crime

A journalist investigates the serial murders of sex workers in Mashhad, Iran, committed by a man known as the "Spider Killer." He believes he's purifying the city by eliminating sinners. The investigation leads her into the city's hidden, dangerous world.

7.3

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