Question 1

What real-life experience inspired the director to make this film?

Accepted Answer

The idea came from director Jafar Panahi's second prison stint from July 2022 to February 2023, when he was held in Evin prison's general population among fellow government opponents.

Question 2

How was this film shot despite Iranian censorship restrictions?

Accepted Answer

It was shot secretly over 20 days without a permit, using only two cars to avoid attention. The crew was briefly arrested and the camera confiscated, but most footage was saved on a separate computer.

Question 3

Which major film festivals has this movie been selected for?

Accepted Answer

It was selected for Cannes (2025), Berlin (2026), Toronto (2025), New York (2025), and Telluride (2025) film festivals, among others.

Question 4

What unusual approach was taken with the casting?

Accepted Answer

The cast mixes one professional actor (Ebrahim Azizi) with non-professionals including a TV station worker/taxi driver, a karate instructor, and a carpenter who studied theatre.

Question 5

Where was the post-production completed and why was that location significant?

Accepted Answer

All post-production was completed in Paris, France, keeping the material out of reach of Iranian authorities. It was produced with Philippe Martin's Paris-based company Les Films Pelléas.

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