Released February 5, 2025
We meet Mahin, an Iranian septuagenarian with an open temperament, in a park where, coming to the rescue of young women who have not put on their veil correctly, she intervenes with the morality police to defend them. . Then, returning home by taxi and listening only to her audacity, Mahin convinces Faramarz, a friendly driver to come and dine at her place, in total contradiction with the rules of this society where women are watched like milk on the stove and never are supposed to have relationships with men only within the framework of marriage. Indeed, she who lives in solitude, keeps romantic dreams deep in her heart, and desperately wants to have – again? – a love life.
The rest of the adventure, rich in tragicomic adventures, does not lack humor. While relating a situation which is not particularly optimistic, but in fact in certain aspects quite universal – the immense loneliness of old age, loss, mourning in the background, the need for love despite the obstacle of life. age -, the directors portray an everyday heroine who does not want to let herself be defeated; Mahin has the desire to feel like she exists, to direct her life despite everything, and, above all, despite the constraints and prohibitions that Iranian society places on women.
But the most significant is the follow-up given by the Iranian authorities who quickly understood and interpreted in their own way the deeply subversive aspect of the film: according to information transmitted by Radio Farda and Iran International, after many obstacles opposed to the couple of directors -screenwriters to prevent them from going to present their film at the Berlinale, then from leaving the territory – in question the scene where Mahin courageously intervenes to help the young women with poorly worn veils – the court accused them of making propaganda against THE regime, to advocate libertinage and prostitution, to break Islamic law by making and showing a “vulgar” (sic) film. The latter have, in all cases, used great means to make the film a form of manifesto: the formidable actress they chose to play the role of Mahin, Lily Fahradpour, is a writer, journalist and activist for women’s rights. women ; and the two directors dedicated the film “ to the honorable and courageous women of our country who have stood on the front lines in the fight for social change ».
This very beautiful film, which contributes to raising awareness of the living conditions of Iranian women, deserves to be supported and widely distributed.
Director: Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha
Production : FilmSazan Javan, Caractères Productions, Hobab, Watchmen Productions
Duration: 1h36
