Director: Adel Yaraghi
Cast: Leila Hatami, Adel Yaraghi, Bahareh Rahnama
Ashnai Ba Leila (آشنایی با لیلا) is a 2012 Iranian comedy-drama-romance film directed by Adel Yaraghi, written by acclaimed Iranian cinema master Abbas Kiarostami. Featuring Leila Hatami and Bahareh Rahnama, the film offers a warm, intimate portrait of human connection in contemporary Iranian life.
What is Ashnai Ba Leila about?
A chance encounter sets the stage for an unexpected emotional journey between two people whose lives intersect in ways neither anticipated. The story unfolds with gentle humor and quiet sincerity, exploring the awkward charm of getting to know someone new — the hesitations, the small revelations, and the gradual warmth that grows between strangers. Without theatrical drama or grand gestures, the film trusts its characters to carry the weight of the narrative, letting authentic human moments speak louder than plot mechanics. The result is a reflective story about the courage it takes to open yourself to another person.
Cast & crew
Director Adel Yaraghi also appears in the film, lending it an intimate, personal quality. Leila Hatami, one of Iranian cinema's most celebrated actresses and known internationally for her work in A Separation, brings understated depth to her role. Bahareh Rahnama, a respected stage and screen actress, rounds out the central ensemble with warmth and natural ease.
Context & significance
For diaspora audiences who grew up with the quiet observational style of Iranian art cinema, Ashnai Ba Leila offers a familiar emotional register — the kind of film that doesn't shout but lingers. Abbas Kiarostami's screenplay is a significant draw: his gift for capturing the texture of everyday human interaction runs through the dialogue and the film's unhurried pacing. Romance in Iranian cinema often operates through implication and restraint, and this film sits comfortably in that tradition, making it particularly resonant for Persian-speaking viewers who appreciate emotional subtlety over spectacle.
Where & how to watch
Ashnai Ba Leila is available on K-Time with Persian audio. Stream it on the web, on your TV, or on your phone — no extra download or VPN needed. One subscription covers all devices; cancel anytime.