“A film whose every frame and line of dialogue is calculated to perfection, and the kind of credibly intricate plotting – with new reveals parceled out like small gifts – that keeps you compelled (and then some) from the first frame till the last.” - David Jenkins, Little White Lies
“The true star of LEILA’S BROTHERS is the rich screenplay brimming with humanity, depth, and humor that makes for a genuinely emotional portrait of an imperfect family.” - Jihane Bousfiha, The Playlist
February 17 at 2pm & February 19 at 3:15pm | Forty and unmarried, Leila (Taraneh Alidoosti) has spent her entire life taking care of her self-pitying parents and her unreliable brothers, each of them haunted by their own failures and missed opportunities. The family struggles to rise above their economic station, so when Leila sees a business opportunity that could be a windfall - and her ticket to freedom from the weight of her family’s burdens - she proposes a plan. A sprawling, masterful family drama evocative of a Greek tragedy, a Dickens novel (and even THE GODFATHER), LEILA’S BROTHERS presents an absorbing microcosm of the patriarchal, corrupt systems of Iran that oppress and disrespect its citizens. Chicago premiere.
Awards & Nominations
Winner - FIPRESCI Prize, Competition, Cannes Film Festival
Winner - Audience Award, Best International Actor (Saeed Poursamimi), Golden Rooster Awards
Winner - ARRI/OSRAM Award - Special Mention, Munich Film Festival
Festival of Films from Iran: The festival endures as a showcase that has brought the innovation, resilience, and humanism of one of the world’s great national cinemas to Chicago audiences over three decades. Now, more than ever, the voices of Iranian artists need to be heard in exploring our shared humanity through history, compassion, comedy, and love. Whether you are a longtime supporter or completely new to Iranian cinema, please join us in discovery! View full festival here.
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