Watch at Home 10.13.2023

Beautiful City

Directed by Asghar Farhadi
Film Movement Classics
2004
102 Minutes
Iran
Persian
Drama, Classics
Not Rated

The sophomore feature of Asghar Farhadi. After spending two years in juvenile detention for killing his girlfriend as a teenager, the troubled, young Akbar is transferred to an adult facility shortly after turning 18. No longer a minor, his death sentence will soon be legally carried out. Meanwhile outside, Ala — Akbar’s friend and newly paroled petty thief — along with Akbar's sister Firoozeh (played by Taraneh Alidoosti, in the first of her three collaborations with director Farhadi) set out to convince the victim's bereaved father to forgive Akbar, which could potentially reduce his sentence from death to life in prison. Navigating the complexities of Iran's judicial system together, the two form a close bond in their desperate attempts to seek clemency before it is too late. A “well-acted [and] compelling human drama," (The Hollywood Reporter), Beautiful City is now presented in a new 2K restoration approved by the director.

Director & Cast

  • Director: Asghar Farhadi
  • Starring: Faramarz Gharibian
  • Starring: Taraneh Alidoosti
  • Starring: Babak Ansari
  • Starring: Ahoo Kheradmand

Trailer

Photos

Reviews

  • "It's a penetrating exploration of retribution versus forgiveness, blood money, sacrifice and the intricacies of Iran's Islamic judicial system."
    Laura Kern, The New York Times
  • "Well acted and smartly written, the film is an eye-opening sociological portrait that also manages to be a compelling human drama."
    Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter
  • "Magnificent thesping by all concerned traces a tragicomic round robin of displaced love with justice for none."
    Ronnie Scheib, Variety
  • "The film’s hopefulness is matched only by its goodness, and its message is one we could all stand to learn."
    Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
  • "Here's another deeply resonant little movie from Iran, featuring more polished (yet still naturalistic) acting than usually seen in U.S. productions."
    Jami Bernard, New York Daily News
  • "A film in which the world is made immediate and kinetic."
    John Anderson, Newsday
Winner
Grand Prix
Warsaw Int'l. Film Festival
Winner
Golden Peacock
International Film Festival of India
Winner
Special Jury Award
International Film Festival of India
Winner
FIPRESCI Prize
Split International Festival of New Film