The Cinematheque

African violets are flowers that require special care and attention. When Shokoo (Fatemeh Motamed-Aria), in her fifties and married for the second time, learns that her first husband Fereydoun (Reza Babak) has been placed in a nursing home by their inconsiderate children, she decides to intervene. With the reluctant consent of her current husband Reza (Saeed Aghakhani), she moves the obstinate Fereydoun into her home, where the awkward cohabitation will unexpectedly transform the relationships between all concerned. Offering an observant, gently humoured look at life for those of middle age and beyond, African Violet is the second feature of Mona Zandi Haghighi, director of 2006’s award-winning Friday Evening.