Critical Zone

Set against the backdrop of Tehran, where drugs seem like the only antidote to systemic oppression, Amir becomes a self-appointed healer-prophet. Tirelessly, he distributes substances to the diverse nocturnal spirits of the city, guided and guarded by the soothing, female voice of his GPS. “The creation of this film was a revolution, and its screening marks an even greater victory,” explains the director. Despite the ban on filmmaking and his flee from the country, he crafted a guerrilla universe that is fascinating and above all, unexpected within the context of Iran's significant cinematic tradition. This remarkable achievement earned the film the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Festival. An unrestrained road movie, shot without professional actors, employing a perpetually hidden camera, and spiced up with thriller elements, serves as a poignant reminder that even in the most barren landscapes, flowers can unexpectedly bloom. Sometimes, even hallucinogenic ones.