Atafeh and Shireen (Kathryn) are inseparable. Like many Iranian youth, Atafeh and Kathryn rebel against the conservative mandates of the Islamic republic. Faced with an increasingly repressive atmosphere in the public arena, Atafeh and Kathryn explore an underground world of secret gatherings where young people explore their sexuality, experiment with drugs, and create western-inspired music and films.
Within the conservative political climate of modern-day Iran, social restrictions abound, the girls risk everything to follow their hearts, for love and freedom.

Written and directed by Maryam Keshavarz

Iran/France/Lebanon/United States 2011, Original Version Persian with English subtitles, 35mm, 105 min


CIRCUMSTANCE is an exquisitely rendered study of the links between sexuality, modernity and tradition in modern-day Tehran.
Sixteen-year-old Atafeh, the daughter of a wealthy liberal family, and Shireen, her best friend whose deceased parents were anti-government activists, have a closeness that is forbidden in Iran. As their feelings for each other blossom, their love becomes physical and they dream of escaping together to the high life of Dubai for nights of sexy clubbing and trysts in bedrooms overlooking the glistening ocean.
This sensual and sexually charged drama is exquisitely executed, and while Keshavarz firmly grounds her film in the local reality of Tehran, the story has universal resonance. With strong writing and cinematography, the youth culture and family life of contemporary Iran are depicted with a revealing honesty and intimacy. In the process, we are shown a very different country to the one seen so frequently on the world's news channels. CIRCUMSTANCE marks the arrival of a new and exciting talent on the rich Iranian film landscape.
DIFF 2011, Durban

Print Source: Funny Balloons

Director: Maryam Keshavarz
Screenplay: Maryam Keshavarz
Cinematographer: Brian Rigney Hubbard

CAST
Nikohl BOOSHERI : Atafeh Hakimi
Sarah KAZEMY : Shireen Arshadi
Reza Sixo SAFAI : Mehran Hakimi
Soheil PARSA : Firouz Hakimi
Nasrin PAKKHO : Azar Hakimi
Sina AMEDSON : Hossein
Keon MOHAJERI : Joey

Director: Maryam KESHAVARZ
Director of photography: Brian Rigney HUBBARD
Editor: Andrea CHIGNOLI
Sound designer: Michael GASSERT
Music: Gingger SHANKAR
Costumes: Lamia CHOUCAIR, Danielle GILBERT
Line Producer: Pierre SARRAF
First assistant director: Kit BLAND
Script: Heather ASKEW
Casting director: Lara CHEKERDIJAN
Production manager: Abla KHOURY
Production coordinator: Jana WEHBE
Location manager, Scouting: Jimmy DIB
Assistant Location manager: Scott ENGE


Production: Néon Productions (France)

In co-production with
Marakesh films (Iran),
A Space between (USA)
Bago Pictures (USA)

International sales
Funny Balloons

Financial support
Fond Sud, Sundance institute feature film program, Adrien Shelly Foundation, Hubert Bals Fund, Ministère de la culture-CNC, Ministère des affaires étrangères, Annenberg Film Foundation, Audrey and Zygi Wilf Foundation, Region Paca, Cinereach


Producer (France) website:
www.neon.fr/production-film/circumstance/en/

Producer (Iran) website:
www.marakeshfilms.com/index.html

Distributor (France) website: (in French)
www.advitamdistribution.com/en-secret/

Official Site:
www.takepart.com/circumstance