What It’s About:
In the current repressive Iranian regime, Iman (Zareh) gets promoted to prosecuting judge and settles his wife Najmeh (Golestani), and teenage daughters Rezvan (Rostami) and Sana (Maleki), into a bright new apartment. Yet all is far from sunny, as human rights protests erupt in the streets, which the daughters support. Najmeh tries to stave off the inevitable conflict between the rigid Iman and his seething, rebellious daughters. When Iman’s government-issued gun is stolen from the apartment- a career-ending offense- the parents come to suspect their own girls.
Why We Love It:
Shot secretly in Iran, writer/director Rasoulof’s stunning, disturbing feature builds tension and suspense from the get-go so that its nearly three-hour runtime flies by. Beyond its inspired direction and script, the film boasts flawless performances from its courageous cast, all of whom faced reprisals for participating. Zareh’s Iman is no monster, just a rigid, misguided man caught up in a brutal regime who loves his family. He’s utterly bewildered at the idea his beloved daughters could betray him. With her character stuck in the middle, Golestani steals the film as the increasingly desperate Najmeh. Offering a terrifying window into modern day life in Iran, “Seed” constitutes essential viewing.