Reza (Ali Mosaffa) and Leila (Leila Hatami - A Separation), an attractive and affluent young couple deeply in love and recently married, discover that Leila is unable to conceive. Invoking tradition, Reza's mother convinces her daughter-in-law that Reza must, out of necessity, take a second wife to produce an heir. The heartbreak that follows is "in a word, devastating" (The New York Times).
Called "the most interesting and accomplished filmmaker the United States has never heard of" by Godfrey Cheshire in The New York Press, Iranian New Wave founding member Dariush Mehrjui (The Cow) became more familiar to audiences with the critical and box office success of Leila, which topped the critics' lists for best films of 1999.
"From the first frame to the last, you feel an intimacy with Leila that is the result of flawless direction and excellent writing." —María García, Film Journal International
Coral Gables Art Cinema is excited to present a week-long series celebrating Iranian cinema's vibrant heritage, from June 14 to 20. This carefully curated selection features nine films that have left a mark on the global cinematic landscape, including A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, A Man of Integrity, A Separation, Far from Home, Leila, No Bears, Persepolis, Terrestrial Verses, and Where is the Friend’s House. This collection not only highlights Iranian filmmakers' enduring influence and importance but invites audiences to embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Iran's cinematic artistry.