New Hampshire Film Festival 2025 Official Selection
Two Academy Award nominations, including Best International Feature
The Palme d’Or winner at Cannes. Vahid, an unassuming mechanic, has a chance encounter with Eghbal, a man he strongly suspects to be his former sadistic jailhouse captor. Panicked, Vahid gathers several former prisoners, all abused by that same captor, to try and confirm Eghbal’s identity. As the bickering group drives around Tehran with the captive, they must confront how far to take matters into their own hands with their presumed tormentor. Two Academy Award nominations, including Best International Feature.
This is one of Panahi’s best works to date. It blends the personal and political in a deeply affecting way. -The Sun
It’s cliche to say, but the value of humor in our long-suffering humanity cannot be understated, and it seems Panâhi recognizes that more than most. -Chicago Reader
If anyone has the right to make a revenge fantasy, it’s Jafar Panahi. And yet, this movie isn’t that. Panahi doesn’t make statement films; he makes question films, designed to instigate soul-searching and debate. -Washington Post
Panahi masterfully lays out his scenario and keeps audiences guessing. -Detroit News
Bursting with humanity and dark humor, it’s a sharply well-acted, written and directed modern thriller that grapples with urgently existential questions of justice, violence and resistance. -Seattle Times
PG-13, 104min
