Even though there’s a lot of questions surrounding which films are arriving this fall, due to the ongoing WGA and SAG strikes, at least there are bright spots like “The Persian Version” to look forward to.
As seen in the new trailer for “The Persian Version,” the film follows the story of a young woman trying to find balance in her life as both an American and Iranian. This balance is threatened when her family reunites due to a family emergency, as the young woman tries to keep her “real” life separate from her family life.
READ MORE: ‘The Persian Version’ Review: Maryam Keshavarz’s Dramedy Lacks Cohesion [Sundance]
The film stars Layla Mohammadi, Niousha Noor, Kamand Shafieisabet, Bella Warda, Chiara Stella, Bijan Daneshmand, and Shervin Alenabi. “The Persian Version” is written and directed by Maryam Keshavarz. The film debuted at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where it took home multiple awards. In our review from Sundance, we were mixed on the film but complimented Noor’s “extraordinarily nuanced performance.”
“The Persian Version” debuts in theaters on October 13. You can watch the new trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
Coming from two countries at odds with each other, Iranian-American Leila (Layla Mohammadi) strives to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures, while boldly challenging the labels society is so quick to project upon her. When her family reunites in New York City for her father’s heart transplant, Leila navigates her relationships at arm’s length in an effort to keep her “real” life separate from her family life. However, when her secret is unceremoniously revealed, so are the distinct parallels between her life and that of her mother Shireen (Niousha Noor). Punctuated by a bright color palette, snappy comedic relief, and vibrant dance numbers, “The Persian Version” delivers an honest portrayal of a woman who remains unapologetically herself, blended seamlessly into a heartfelt story about family, belonging, and the undeniable influence of pop music. Winning both the Audience Award and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, writer-director-producer Maryam Keshavarz delivers a universal and timely story of the Iranian and the Iranian-American experience.