Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
An Iranian family survives the shah and the ayatollah and moves to France. This story follows the family through it all. Despite the politics, revolution, prison, beatings, assassinations and suicides this is a comedy.
A darkly comedic Iranian family saga spanning the Shah and post-revolutionary eras that transplants itself to France is a genuinely distinctive premise. The film earns high marks for novelty in its tonal balancing act — treating political trauma, prison, and loss through a comedic lens in the tradition of films like Persepolis but with its own voice. Plot is serviceable and character-driven but can feel episodic. Acting is solid and naturalistic without being exceptional. Cinematography is functional and unremarkable for a mid-budget international drama. The ending, while emotionally resonant, doesn't fully capitalize on the accumulated weight of the story.