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A neo-realist comedy tonight! Abolfazl Jalili now stands out as one of the great hopes of Iranian cinema, having written, shot and edited this gem by himself, using a cast of non-professional actors. Like his previous Delbaran and Abjad, his story is based around a dogged protagonist who refuses to accept defeat when a smarter person would give up in despair. This straight-faced, low key comedy creeps up on you cumulatively. Navid, who is intent on getting a job teaching Persian literature and romancing the woman with whom he has fallen in love at first sight (well, as much as you can see under the veil), ends up getting busted for grazing cattle on cardboard boxes without a license, getting busted again for campaigning for women’s rights, and getting busted again for being repeatedly beaten up by the brother of the woman he is wooing. From poolroom bouncer to seller of water by the river, Navid refuses to be daunted. Beware George Bush—these are a people whose powers of endurance you can only begin to imagine. They can probably also run you a close race in tolerance for the absurd.

Has earned a cheer and a laugh from festival audiences wherever it plays.

Variety