Iranian cinema is one of the most critically acclaimed in the world.
It wins awards at Cannes, Berlin, and the Oscars — yet most viewers have never seen an Iranian film.
These 10 masterpieces will change that.
1. Capernaum (2018) 8.2
Genre: Drama · Director: Nadine Labaki · Cast: Zain Al Rafeea, Yordanos Shifera, Boluwatife Treasure Bankole
After running away from his negligent parents, committing a violent crime and being sentenced to five years in jail, a hardened, streetwise 12-year-old Lebanese boy sues his parents in protest of the
2. A Separation (2011) 7.9
Genre: Drama · Director: Asghar Farhadi · Cast: Leila Hatami, Payman Maadi, Sareh Bayat
A married couple are faced with a difficult decision – to improve the life of their child by moving to another country or to stay in Iran and look after a deteriorating parent who has Alzheimer’s dise
3. Children of Heaven (1997) 7.9
Genre: Drama, Family · Director: Majid Majidi · Cast: Amir Farrokh Hashemian, Bahare Seddiqi, Nafise Jafar-Mohammadi
Zohre’s shoes are gone; her older brother Ali lost them. They are poor, there are no shoes for Zohre until they come up with an idea: they will share one pair of shoes. School awaits.
4. Taste of Cherry (1997) 7.7
Genre: Drama · Director: Abbas Kiarostami · Cast: Homayoun Ershadi, Abdolrahman Bagheri, Safar Ali Moradi
A middle-aged Tehranian man, Mr. Badii is intent on killing himself and seeks someone to bury him after his demise. Driving around the city, the seemingly well-to-do Badii meets with numerous people,
5. About Elly (2009) 7.5
Genre: Drama · Director: Asghar Farhadi · Cast: Golshifteh Farahani, Shahab Hosseini, Payman Maadi
The mysterious disappearance of a kindergarten teacher during a picnic in the north of Iran is followed by a series of misadventures for her fellow travelers.
6. The White Balloon (1995) 7.5
Genre: Drama, Family · Director: Jafar Panahi · Cast: Aida Mohammadkhani, Mohsen Kafili, Fereshteh Sadr Orafaee
Several people try to take advantage of a little girl’s innocence to hustle money her mom gave to her to buy a goldfish with.
7. A Hero (2021) 7.3
Genre: Drama · Director: Asghar Farhadi · Cast: Amir Jadidi, Mohsen Tanabandeh, Sahar Goldoost
Rahim is in prison because of a debt he was unable to repay. During a two-day leave, he tries to convince his creditor to withdraw his complaint against the payment of part of the sum. But things don’
8. The Salesman (2016) 7.2
Genre: Drama, Thriller · Director: Asghar Farhadi · Cast: Shahab Hosseini, Taraneh Alidoosti, Babak Karimi
Forced out of their apartment due to dangerous works on a neighboring building, Emad and Rana move into a new flat in the center of Tehran. An incident linked to the previous tenant will dramatically
9. The Past (2013) 7.2
Genre: Drama, Mystery · Director: Asghar Farhadi · Cast: Bérénice Bejo, Ali Mosaffa, Tahar Rahim
After four years apart, Ahmad returns to his wife Marie in Paris in order to progress their divorce. During his brief stay, he cannot help noticing the strained relationship between Marie and her daug
10. Offside (2006) 5.3
Genre: Drama, Comedy · Director: Mårten Klingberg · Cast: Jonas Karlsson, Brendan Coyle, Anja Lundqvist
In the small Swedish town of Stensfors, the local football team faces dissolution unless it can win its remaining matches. Team member Kent recruits former 1980s Premier League star Duncan Miller to h
If you love deep, intelligent cinema, Iranian films will become your favourites. Start with any one — you won’t regret it.