“Shot entirely in secret  and paying homage to Abbas Kiarostami in the title, Hossein Keshavarz and Maryam Ataei's film is both freshly contemporary and rooted in history.” - Tomris Laffly, Variety

“While this spry drama is an unambiguous show of defiance against the Iranian regime, it’s also largely free of the heaviness people tend to associate with dissident cinema.” - David Ehrlich, IndieWire

Friday, June 5, 9:00 p.m. & Tuesday, June 9, 8:30 p.m. | Roommates Hana and Pari create a joyous found family through collaborative projects and personal relationships in Tehran’s underground art scene. Both women nurture rebellious creative practices that challenge the status quo: Hana creates dances to perform in view of historic landmarks and Pari writes and stages politically-minded plays. Their affectionate friendship is told through a series of tender and lively vignettes that roam through rehearsals, dinner parties, and the rooftops of the city all brimming with the energy of young people forging their paths. However, the threat of the authoritarian regime is never far away and will soon bring new difficult circumstances. While writer-directors Maryam Ataei and Hossein Keshavarz were forced to smuggle their film out of Iran to premiere at Sundance, their movie never lets the threat of oppression dictate the entire tone. Hani and Pari remain resolute in their loving care for one another and their commitment to expressive freedom despite the serious challenges they face.

Awards & Nominations

US Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast - 2026 Sundance Film Festival

Festival of Films from Iran | June 5–11, 2026

This yearly showcase spotlights the innovation, resilience, and humanism of contemporary Iranian filmmakers and acclaimed Iranian auteurs. For the 37th year of the Festival of Films from Iran, we’re honoring influential Iranian filmmaker Bahram Beyzaie with a limited retrospective and presenting a slate of compelling contemporary films by Iranian and Iranian-diaspora filmmakers. 

The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu