Release Year -2009
Country - Iran
Genres – Drama | Mystery
IMDB page
From the director of the acclaimed movie "A Separation"
"Gripping as sheer storytelling, the plot smoothly raises some unusual
moral questions. It touches on masculine honor, on the way a
thoughtless laugh can wound someone’s feelings, on the extent to which
we try to take charge of others’ fates. I can’t recall another film
that so deeply examines the risks of telling lies to spare someone
grief." - David Bordwell
"To many, the film’s first half may seem mannered, even boring, with
the old pals, particularly the men, indulging in obnoxious,
condescending behavior. But after an alarming incident at the 45-minute
mark, Farhadi ratchets up the tension, and the pic becomes a mystery thriller of sorts that epitomizes the Sir Walter Scott quote, Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." - Alissa Simon, Variety
"One of the most remarkable Iranian films to surface in the last few years" - Lee Marshall, Screen Daily
Synopsis - Writer/director Asghar Farhadi offers this revealing look at the
Iranian middle class by examining how one simple lie can open up a
Pandora's box of problems.
In the wake of his failed marriage in
Germany, Ahmad (Shahab Hosseini) returns to Tehran. With the holidays
approaching, Ahmad's friend Sepideh (Golshifteh Farahani) organizes a
weekend getaway to the Caspian Sea with a group of old college friends.
But one member of the group sticks out like a sore thumb: she's a
pretty kindergarten teacher named Elly
(Taraneh Alidousti), and Sepideh thought she would be a perfect match
for Ahmad. In order to rent a spacious beach house for the group to
share, Sepideh told the elderly landlady that Ahmad and Elly were
newlyweds. But the truth is Elly has never even met Ahmad, and she
doesn't share a close bond with the rest of the friends. Strangely
enough, on the very first night of the trip Elly naturally endears
herself to the tight-knit group. The following day, however, Elly
vanishes without a trace, sparking a frantic search that sours the
festivities, and revealing the casual deceits that are shared amongst
friends.
Awards
- Crystal Simorgh for Best Director in 27th Fajr International Film Festival
- Silver Bear for Best Director in 59th Berlin film festival
- Best Picture, Best Narrative Feature at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.
- Netpac Award - Brisbane International Film Festival
- Jury Grand Prize and Best Screenplay at the 2009 Asia Pacific Screen Awards
Special Mention
- Voted the 4th greatest Iranian movie of all time by national society of Iranian critics
- Iran's official selection to compete at the 82nd Academy Awards in the field of Best Foreign Language Film
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