A Good Day Will Come

A crown jewel in Iranian diaspora cinema, A Good Day will Come manages to impress in more ways than one. What begins as a story of a wrestler competing for Olympic gold turns into an act of resistance that will galvanise an entire nation. Taking inspiration from the real life story of Navid Afkari, the film finds its protagonist rising up against a government that has lost the trust of its people. Writer and director Amir Zargara places the moral dilemma front and centre as he shows how such hard choices affect both those who take them and their loved ones. The dim cinematography amplifies the story and the brisk editing keeps us on our toes. Highly recommended.

The film, directed by Amir Zargara, is a semi-autobiographical film inspired by the life of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari.

It follows Arash, a pro-wrestler who is torn between standing up against the tyrannical regime or quietly enjoying his glory by staying in his lane. When someone dear to him dies during a government protest, Arash cannot stay silent anymore and takes to the street. What happens next puts him on a treacherous path filled with danger.

The film is a daring ode to the resistance movement against Iran's oppressive government. Following Arash's arc from a mere athlete to an active part of the movement, you get that rousing, empowering feeling about doing what's right even though it might not be easy. It also highlights that despite the heroism, such a courageous act definitely comes at a price. The film deftly balances this duality and unflinchingly portrays what it's like to be in a dictatorial society. It is based on the experience of talented wrestler Afkari, who died in prison after being - allegedly - falsely accused of murder after partaking in protests.

Visually, A Good Day Will Come is confidently filmed, with sharp cinematography and well-paced editing. It's got everything: the harrowing, heroic, tragic, and ultimately, a bittersweet but meaningful depiction of the cost of standing up for justice in this day and age.

A Good Day Will Come, Ifilmmaker Amir Zargara crafts a striking narrative that blends personal struggle with social awareness. The story centers on Arash, a wrestler whose mind is as entangled in the country's social upheaval as it is on his sport. Played by Sia Alipour, Arash embodies the quiet but powerful emotions of someone who carries the weight of his people's pain, and Alipour's performance is both subtle and deeply moving. The film's color grading, steeped in dark, muted tones, paints the lives of Arash and those around him in shades of grey, visually representing the bleakness of their reality. A haunting, melancholic soundtrack amplifies this atmosphere, making each scene feel emotionally charged. Wrestling scenes are more than just physical displays-they're moments of introspection for Arash, showing that his mind is never fully in the ring but always with the people enduring hardship. Amir Zargara's direction reveals an understanding of both visual and emotional storytelling. Without giving too much away, the film's title, A Good Day Will Come, echoes throughout, as a message of hope that Arash clings to. It's a short but impactful piece, dedicated to the resilience that exists within us all and our quiet faith that one day, peace and justice will prevail.

A quietly poignant tale about courage and sacrifice in the face of brutal violence and oppression.

There's quite an interesting parallel to be drawn here between wrestling with a professional opponent and wrestling with your own morality. In both cases, if you're not quick enough, you could lose more than you can imagine. A Good Day Will Come focuses on Arash's internal wrestling match as the injustice in Iran threatens to intensify. When his family becomes affected by the political conflicts, Arash grapples with a certain responsibility to them and to his home country-the same country he proudly represents at sports tournaments.

What does it mean for the protagonist to risk everything as a public figure, dealing with the pressures of the spotlight and the duty to defend his title as a champion? Is a public statement enough to ensure he's done his part and stood his ground? In contrast, what is the risk on a personal level-to honor his dad's legacy and put his own life on the line instead of watching from the benches?

A Good Day Will Come never indulges in any spectacle, nor does it glorify the suffering of the Iranians. Amidst their country's turbulent division and savage attacks on the basic human rights of their people, this short takes an intimate, more contained approach to telling a painful story.

The camera is still. It doesn't intrude, but it lingers, unwavering at every corner, giving us enough time to look at the raw truth in the eye-the bare grief and hopelessness looming over Arash's family and many others like it. There's a sense of bleakness to the cinematography, while the somber score further amplifies the inner dread within the characters, each coping with the situation in their own way. All of those technical elements manage to fill the spaces between the scarce dialogue, working together to create a picture that can resonate with audiences on a broader level. Zargara's film poses questions about showing humanity, empathy, and a willingness to fight for what's right.

Amir Zargara's A Good Day will Come asks the pertinent question that is at heart over every revolution; do you have what it takes to rebel against the regime? By framing this question within an aspiring wrestler, Amir Zargara shows the audience how even a tiniest act of resistance echoes forever. As Arash, the wrestler, prepares to take centre stage for his home country, a series of events will force him to do something drastic. The dialogue is minimal as Zargara allows the audience to fill in what he refuses to use overt exposition for. With a grim visual aesthetic and nuanced pacing, the film presents an inspiring message about standing up for what is right, and will leave you moved and inspired long after it ends.