Film Forum

From executive producer Cate Blanchett, the feature debut by Australian-Iranian director Niasari — inspired by her own childhood — won the Audience Award (World Cinema Dramatic) at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Vibrant young mother Shayda (Zar Amir Ebrahimi of HOLY SPIDER) seeks protection from her unhinged husband in a women’s shelter, with her 6-year-old daughter, Mona. As she restarts her immigrant life in Australia amidst Persian New Year celebrations, Mona’s father is granted “unsupervised access,” and Shayda must contend with his rage and revenge. 

2023     117 MIN.     AUSTRALIA     SONY PICTURES CLASSICS
IN ENGLISH AND PERSIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

Reviews

DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA NOMINEE!
2023 FIRST-TIME THEATRICAL FEATURE
NOORA NIASARI

“[Zar Amir] Ebrahimi’s turn as a mother developing stamina in the face of fear is thrilling, with shades of vulnerability, yearning and strength.”
– Alissa Wilkinson, The New York Times

“Surges with truth…a tug-of-war between hope and fear that gives [Zar Amir] Ebrahimi the platform to carve out a completely three-dimensional character…[she] gives a stunning performance, one that balances both palpable fear and stunning courage… We come to care for Shayda and her daughter. And, by extension, the thousands of women in the tragically same position in the world.”
– Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

“The two actresses have an unmatched chemistry as mother and daughter, often seeming to speak to each other without saying a word. As Mona, newcomer [Selina] Zahednia is a joy to watch… Niasari, who was mentored by Abbas Kiarostami in 2015, seems to share his skill for bringing about extraordinary performances in children.”
– Susannah Gruder, IndieWire

“A fine balance of darkness and light. Niasari and cinematographer Sherwin Akbarzadeh move the action between a realm of the secretive and fraught and one of brightness and play. [Zar Amir] Ebrahimi is quietly riveting, embodying a refusal to retreat into prescribed roles.”
– Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter