The Cinematheque

“A panoramic portrait of Tehran’s lower depths, cunningly shot as a series of shorts to evade censorship red tape … Interweaves melodrama, farce, suspense, and satire to examine the predicaments and struggles of the people who live unnoticed at the bottom of the social order.”

“Film Comment Selects,” Film at Lincoln Center

A brilliant mosaic of urban life, Tales tells seven interconnected stories set in one of the most politically charged periods of contemporary Iran. Returning to the screen after a long hiatus, director Rakhshan Banietemad reunites the protagonists from her previous masterpieces—including Under the Skin of the City and Nargess, both also screening—to see how they are weathering the social and economic storms of modern-day Tehran. The film weaves together stories of struggling workers, idealistic students, and resilient women navigating bureaucracy, addiction, and domestic conflict. Winner of Best Screenplay at Venice, Tales features an unprecedented ensemble cast of Iran’s greatest actors (including Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, Golab Adineh, and Payman Maadi). It is an honest and ultimately deeply human testament to the enduring spirit of those living on the margins of society.

In Farsi with English subtitles

Post-screening conversation with director Rakhshan Banietemad, moderated by Pelan.