Circumstance

About the movie

Teenagers Atafeh, and her best friend, Shireen, are experimenting with their burgeoning sexuality amidst the subculture of Tehran’s underground art scene when Atafeh’s brother, Mehran, returns home from drug rehab as the prodigal son. Mehran renounces his former life and joins the morality police. He disapproves of his sister’s developing intimate relationship with Shireen and becomes obsessed with saving her. Suddenly, the two siblings, who were close confidants, are entangled in a triangle of suspense, surveillance, and betrayal.
Splendidly constructed and saturated with a sumptuous sense of style and sensuality, Circumstance marks the arrival of an exciting, original talent. First-time feature writer/director Maryam Keshavarz registers a rare glimpse of forbidden love in today’s Iranian youth culture. The film received the Audience Award at Sundance 2011.

Participating