Biyograficim
Septembers of Shiraz

Septembers of Shiraz

Movie · 2015 · 9 people

Wayne Blair directed Septembers of Shiraz, a 2015 American drama written for the screen by Hanna Weg and based on the 2007 novel of the same title by the Iranian-American author Dalia Sofer. It looks at the period right after the 1979 Iranian Revolution through the eyes of one family, and at how political pressure upends ordinary lives. Shot in English, the film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 15, 2015, and opened through Momentum Pictures on June 24, 2016. It played in Canada as Enemy Territory and in France as Insurrection.

The story begins in Tehran, where Isaac, a Jewish gem dealer, is abruptly arrested by the new regime. Adrien Brody plays Isaac, Salma Hayek is his wife Farnez and Shohreh Aghdashloo plays Habibeh. While Isaac endures interrogation and imprisonment, Farnez has to work for his release and, at the same time, keep the family together in a world that is falling apart around them. The cast also includes Gabriella Wright as Farideh, Anthony Azizi, Alon Abutbul, Liron Levo, Bashar Rahal, Aslı Bayram and Navíd Akhavan. The film runs roughly 110 minutes.

DirectorWayne Blair
Production companyMomentum Pictures

Reactions

You can pick up to 3 reactions.

Cast

Only cast members with a profile on this site are listed.

Aslı Bayram Aslı Bayram Film actor · 45 years old Navíd Akhavan Navíd Akhavan Actor · 46 years old Adrien Brody Selma Hayek Shohreh Aghdashloo Anthony Azizi Alon Abutbul Liron Levo Gabriella Wright

Through different eyes

History & Society Lens Asks about the period, the social background and what the work reflects.

By centring on the arrest of a Jewish gem dealer in Tehran right after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the film shows how regime change can make minorities and well-off families its first targets. Adapted from Dalia Sofer's novel, the story's strength is that it brings a vast historical event down to narrow spaces like the interrogation room and the family home. Farnez, fighting for her husband while trying to keep the family together, also makes visible the hidden burden political repression places on women. My one reservation is that an Iranian family's story is told in English, a choice that can leave the feeling of watching the period's texture from some distance.

Cinephile Looks at script, editing and directing choices; keeps a distance from formula films.

Wayne Blair's film, working from Hanna Weg's screenplay, splits its narrative along two axes: Isaac in prison and Farnez outside, trying to stay on her feet. That parallel structure has the potential to keep the tension constantly alive, but the danger in such a design is that the two lines repeat each other and the dramatic momentum scatters. Strong performers like Adrien Brody, Salma Hayek and Shohreh Aghdashloo give the cast real weight, and Aghdashloo in particular can anchor the film in authenticity. The roughly 110-minute running time also brings the risk of the interrogation scenes growing repetitive. Premiered in Toronto, this adaptation seems to choose a safe, conventional telling for a powerful subject: a careful period drama more than a bold cinematic interpretation.

Family Viewer Asks whether the whole household can watch it; cares about humour and heart.

This is a serious drama about a family's hard days. The father's arrest, the interrogation and the prison days can be too heavy for children. His wife's effort to hold the family together sends a strong message. It suits adults and high-school teens interested in history; not for small children.

These are not reader reviews: they are short editorial takes written from different viewer perspectives with AI assistance. Reader reviews are below.

Reviews (0)

Log in Log in to write a review.

Comments