Look at the hopelessness of the young generation in Iran
“Critical Zone” is a film about resistance in hopeless times that captures the spirit of a young Iranian generation and becomes an expression of protest itself. Shot in secret and banned by the Iranian authorities, this film shows us never-before-seen, mesmerizing images from the underworld of Tehran, where despair and rebellion go hand in hand. Awarded the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival 2023.
Tehran at night. From the side window of a moving car, a woman pulls down her headscarf and shouts a powerful, loud, shocking "Fuck You!" into the sleeping city. It is the only moment of freedom and lust that director Ali Ahmadzadeh allows his characters.
The film is a look at the hopelessness and lack of prospects of the young generation in Iran, who would like to live an internationally oriented life, but exist in a state of alienated shock under the mullah regime. The guide through this sad, always tired world is Amir, a drug dealer. We see him at home, calmly and precisely sorting his drugs like a pharmacist and packing them into small boxes and packets. Then he gets into his car and drives through the city at night to his customers, whom he gives a little relief with his hallucinogenic drugs. His customers are young, desperate, full of fears and inhibitions. None of them dare to dream of a better future. Amir's drugs numb their pain, but nothing more.
»The making of this film was a revolution, and its screening is an even greater victory.« Ali Ahmadzadeh
Festivals / film awards
- 2024: Visions of Iran / Closing Film
- 2023: 3 Continents Festival / International Competition, Young Jury Award
- 2023: Adelaide Film Festival / World Cinema
- 2023: Batumi IFF / International Feature Films Competition, Bester Film
- 2023: Belgrade Auteur Film Festival / Competition, Grand Prix
- 2023: Bergen International Film Festival / International Fiction
- 2023: Busan IFF / A Window on Asian Cinema
- 2023: Gent International Film Festival / Official Competition
- 2023: Haifa IFF / Carmel International Competition, Best Film Award
- 2023: Hong Kong Asian Film Festival / Wide Angle
- 2023: IFF Mannheim-Heidelberg / Pushing the Boundaries
- 2023: International Film Festival Kerala / Official World Cinema
- 2023: LEFFEST Lisboa Film Festival / Official Selection
- 2023: Ljubljana International Film Festival / Panorama
- 2023: Locarno Film Festival / International Competition, Goldener Leopard
- 2023: Semana de Cine de la Universidad de Lima / Int.
- 2023: Singapore IFF / Asian Feature Film Competition
- 2023: São Paulo IFF / International Perspective
- 2023: Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival / Another View
- 2023: Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival / Best of Festivals
- 2023: Thessaloniki IFF / Open Horizons: Another Take
- 2023: TOKYO FILMeX / Competition, Special Jury Prize
- 2023: Valladolid International Film Festival / Alchemies, Special Mention
- 2023: World Cinema Amsterdam / Competition
Distribution funding
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