Children of Heaven (1999)



A delightful Iranian movie about a boy who accidentally loses his sister's shoes and must share his own sneakers with her in a sort of relay while each attends school at different times during the day. Finally, the boy enters a much-publicized foot race, hoping to place third. The prize: a new pair of sneakers. Directed by respected filmmaker Majid Majidi, Children of Heaven is just that -- heavenly.  

The Color of Paradise (1999)


Awash in the sights and sounds of an Iranian summer, this moving family drama stars Mohsen Ramezani as Mohammed, an 8-year-old blind boy whose poor widower father (Hossein Mahjoub) nearly abandons him at a school for blind children. Welcomed home by his grandmother and sisters, the bright boy is eager to immerse himself in the world of the seeing -- but his father fears Mohammed may hinder his attempts to remarry into a prosperous family.

Movie trailer -"The Color of Paradise"


Santuri: The Music Man (2007)



Just as he's achieved enormous success, gifted and popular musician Ali's (Bahram Radan) heroin addiction takes its terrible toll in this poignant drama from Iran. Authorities ban him from performing publicly, and his wife, pianist Hanieh (Golshifteh Farahani), leaves him. Ali blames his failure on Hanieh, but as he continues to plunge toward the bottom, he must concede his own fault in his downfall. Darioush Mehrjui directs.


Cease Fire (2006)




In search of a divorce attorney, high-powered project engineer Sayeh (Mahnaz Afhsar) winds up in a psychiatrist's office, where she recounts the stormy fights she's had with her spoiled contractor husband (Mohammad Reza Golzar). Before long, the shrink has the bickering couple investigating their inner children. Director Tahmineh Milani tackles gender inequalities in Iran with a humorous touch in this romantic comedy.


Crimson Gold (2004)




When Hussein (Hossain Emadeddin) finds a receipt for a necklace in a stolen purse, he's flabbergasted by the large sum of money. He knows that his miniscule salary will never be enough to afford such luxury. What's more, he's sick of the hypocrisy of a social system that makes people like him (on the lower rungs) feel like an outcast. But all that is about to change -- at least for one night. Directed by Jafar Panahi.

The opening segment of "Crimson Gold"

Taste of Cherry (1997)



Driving through the streets of Tehran, Mister Badii (Homayoun Ershadi) is looking for someone to bury him when he commits suicide -- or rescue him if he fails. But it's difficult to find anyone who will help. A taxidermist (Abdolrahman Bagheri) eventually agrees, mostly so he can use the money to care for his sick son. But there's another reason -- he once attempted suicide himself. This film won top honors at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.

Movie Trailer -"Taste of Cherry"

Bashu the Little Stranger (1989) 



This touching, thought-provoking Iranian children's drama, from 1989 has a simple story, but complex undertones as it is simultaneously a quiet plea for peace and tolerance, an entertaining story and a sly, metaphorical criticism of Moslem fundamentalist thinking. It also presents a view of Iranian rural life seldom seen by Westerners.

A short segment of "Bashu the Little Stranger

The Circle (2000)



Director Jafar Panahi's portrait of the status of women in fundamentalist Iran is, by any stretch of the imagination, depressing. But just getting the film made was a major political feat, given Iran's dogmatic view of women and unstable political climate. The fact that this film (made by a man) is sensitive to women's plight sheds a ray of hope that, given time, things may gradually change.

Friendly Peruation (2000)



By interviewing three generations of filmmakers, documentarianJamsheed Akrami paints a portrait of the state of Iranian cinema since the Islamic revolution of 1979. Segments focus on the role of the government in film production, the banning of Hollywood films, the censorship codes imposed under the revolutionary regime, the depiction of women and children, and how Iranian films have been received around the world.

Offside (2006)



In director Jafar Panahi's offbeat Iranian tale, several girls find themselves arrested after posing as boys to sneak into a soccer stadium to see a key international qualifying match. It's illegal for Iranian women to attend sports events, so the gate-crashers end up in a holding pen waiting for authorities. But a sympathetic guard watching through a peephole describes the action for the girls, who are eager to know what's happening in the game.

Movie Trailer -"OffSide"


Persepolis (2007)




Marjane (voiced by Chiara Mastroianni just wants to be an ordinary kid, but that isn't easy in 1978 Iran. This profound animated film follows Marjane's childhood in a repressive society, her adolescence in France and her return to Tehran as an adult. Based on  Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel, this Oscar nominee for Best Animated Feature Film also features the vocal talents of Catherine Denevue and Simon Abkarian.

Movie Trailer - "Persepolis"

 
For a more comprehensive list of resources on Iran please go to:
Voices Education Project