CIRCUMSTANCE (2011)

Lesbianism and sexual repression in Iran

USA-Iran-France-Lebanon. Direction: Maryam Keshavarz. Production: Karin Chien, Maryam Keshavarz, Melissa M. Lee / Marakesh Films, A Space Between, Menagerie Pictures, Bago Pictures, Neon Productions. Screenplay: Maryam Keshavarz. Photography: Brian Rigney Hubbard. Music: Gingger Shankar. Edition: Andrea Chignoli. Cast: Nikohl Boosheri, Sarah Kazemy, Reza Sixo Safai, Soheil Parsa, Nasrin Pakkho. Running time: 105 min

LANGUAGE: Persian / SUBTITLES: Basque, English

Atafeh and her brother Mehran have grown up surrounded by music, art and intellectual curiosity. Atafeh dreams of fame and adventure; she and her best friend Shireen explore the Teheran underground scene with youthful exuberance and the determination to be themselves. Mehran comes home from drug rehab, greatly changed and resolved to fight the decadent world that landed him there. He strongly disapproves the way Atafeh and Shireen lead their lives and the relationship burgeoning between them.