If anyone wants to dip a toe into Iranian film...

[MsAmerica]

I just thought I'd mention that if you've never seen an Iranian film, and are curious, a good one to start with is Children of Heaven. I won't include a link, because I don't want to go into the plot, but it's a sweet heart-warming story about a poor family, where the two young children dream of having new shoes.

I saw Secret of The Sacred Fig recently which was really good. Bit harrowing in parts.

Which is why I suggested a lovely little film that isn't harrowing at all.

Fair enough. I was just commenting about an Iranian film I'd seen since no-one had responded to your thread. But happy to avoid your threads if you're going to be snippy.

I enjoyed The Salesman which isn’t a lovely little film but is very good.

I agree, very good. I was just suggesting an easy film for people who might not have tackled an Iranian movie yet.

Recently watched & loved Holy Spider (based on a true story). Off the top of my head, also loved Under the Shadow & A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. Anything by Farhadi - A Separation especially.

I also enjoyed A Separation, I’m going to pay to watch Sacred Fig this week so will update when I have.

I loved Farhadi's films, especially A Separation.

But it broke my heart to read a long dissection of the plagiarism accusations. Are you familiar with that?

I hadn't been but just read up on the accusations - it seems he was cleared fully?

Oh, good! Although ... I remember feeling that it seemed like a mountain of evidence against him.

Thanks for the recommendation. I just watched ‘A Separation’ and it was excellent. However, it was ambiguous (and I’ll phrase this in a way to not spoilt it for others) who do you think caused the damage on the windscreen at the end?

Thank you - just found it and it looks good. Going to watch.

Absolutely charming film. Watched it with DD.

I recommend Hit the Road, which is funny and has great characters.

Agree with you OP. Children of heaven was one of the first Iranian films I watched actually.

Same. I would like to recommend a song of sparrows.

One thing that blew me away was the even-handedness (well-intentioned people, not good-guy/bad-guy) and the ending. Wait - that's two things. Okay.

And really memorable, right?!

A Separation is an absolute masterpiece for me. I think it's a good illustration of what becoming an adult is: getting into situations that are nobody's fault but in which a person must make a choice that is heartbreaking and likely to compromise their own moral values for the sake of 'doing greater good'. Amazing, amazing writing.

Other Iranian movies I enjoyed were 'Manuscripts Don't Burn' and 'The Circle' (from 2000) - however, I am not sure if they can be streamed anywhere, I managed to get DVD releases - and 'Tehran: The City of Love' (available to stream on Amazon).

Jafar Panahi has a new movie screening in Cannes this year, fingers crossed it's good!

I loved The Circle.

I've never heard of Manuscripts Don't Burn, but I see, oddly, that the stars are listed online as "anonymous." That can't be good.

We have a Cannes Palme D'or winner from Iran - 'It was just an accident'. I really like Panahi so I am really excited to see it in cinema.