Il mio giardino persiano

The adage "it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" is well-known, but what about people who have the courage to fall in love again? For a 70-year-old Iranian widow, it's a desperate attempt to feel alive again, but it's a bold move for anyone. That is the idea behind a sweet Iranian love comedy that is infused with surprising radicalism.

Mahin (played by the charming Lili Farhadpour) spends her days doing the same things: sleeping in till midday, rushing to answer FaceTime calls from her daughter who lives abroad, taking care of her garden, and visiting the less-than-local market from her home on the outskirts of Tehran. Each scene is portrayed as a nicely framed vignette by co-directors Maryam Moqadam and Behtash Sanaeeha, despite the setting's banality.

Keep an eye on it-words cannot help it. In a society where everyone is scrutinised and evaluated, genuine love endures forever, and it's simple to find if you look for it! This charming story serves as a reminder.

This film is full of beauty and magic of all the small things and also tragedy. The quiet longing of the main protagonist and her courage and chuzpe when she is standing up for herself and tries ro find new ways to find love again are beautiful and sometimes fun to watch. But you are always reminded that you are in a country that restrics the rights of women. Here you have the nousy neighbor too, but you realise, that she can get you in real trouble.

On the other hand that precious romance between. Mahin and Faramaz brings so many sweet moments and also some laughs.

After the premier I was deeply moved.

As an Iranian in exile, I watched this film with mixed emotions-laughing throughout but also with a lump in my throat. The film is beautifully crafted, filled with beautiful details that bring the story to life. It offers a powerful portrayal of life in a society where love, joy, and even laughter are suppressed. What makes this film stand out, even more, is its unique focus: for once, the protagonist and the central love story are between two older individuals, a refreshing narrative in cinema.

Even if you're not Iranian, you'll appreciate the universal themes of love, resilience, and the human spirit. It allows viewers to reflect on the quiet but enduring resistance people face in the face of repression, making it a story that resonates beyond cultural boundaries. It evokes both joy and sorrow at the same time.

I'm yet to see a larger-than-life Iranian film where characters defy physics, logic, and emotions-here's another sweet little gem to add to that list. This is a story of two 70-year-olds finding love one fine evening, sharing life's little details and cherishing its little moments along the way. We meet Mahin (an absolutely adorable Lili Farhadpour) as she goes about her day, understanding more about her through the slice-of-life interactions she has with the people around. Faramarz (Esmaeel Mehrabi, playing the tender counterpart to perfection) enters her life as randomly as it can get, and this leads to interesting conversations, wine, and merry-making. A late (and expected) swerve only reminds you of how happy moments don't last forever, but neither do the sad ones. Also, when all this plays out in a country that's big on moral policing, how can you not smile first (and sigh later)?

The movie had such an innocent vibe, but what it was trying to say really hit hard. Normally, I don't get emotional about old people, but just the fact that the main character was old was enough to make me feel sad. Maybe it's because of the actress's performance too; there was this pure loneliness in her eyes. I found myself really touched by the film.

The cinematography was beautiful too. I really liked the warm tones, the way the house was decorated, and how the garden was lit. Everything just fit so well. The moments between the two main characters, like when they danced and took selfies, were really sweet and tender. The ending hit harder this way, but a part of me still wishes movies like this would be a bit more clear with their message at the end.