Director: Majid-Reza Mostafavi
Cast: Mohsen Kiayee, Baran Kosari, Mahtab Nasirpour
Astigmatism is a 2017 Iranian drama film written by Payam Karami and Majid-Reza Mostafavi and directed by Mostafavi. The film stars Mohsen Kiayee, Baran Kosari, and Mahtab Nasirpour in a quiet, character-driven story about perception, relationships, and the distance between what we see and what is real.
What is Astigmatism about?
A man and a woman find themselves caught in the blurring boundary between what they believe about each other and what is actually true. As their lives intersect, old assumptions crack open and each character is forced to look more closely at themselves and the people around them. The film moves at a deliberate pace, letting silences carry weight and small gestures speak loudly. Mostafavi constructs a story where misreading — of faces, of intentions, of love — becomes the central force that binds and separates his characters. Nothing is resolved easily, and the film resists offering comfort in place of honesty.
Cast & crew
Mohsen Kiayee is one of Iran's most respected dramatic actors, known for his restrained and emotionally precise performances across film and television. Baran Kosari, daughter of celebrated filmmaker Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, brings a sharp intelligence and natural presence to her roles. Mahtab Nasirpour rounds out the lead trio with a performance grounded in subtlety. Director Majid-Reza Mostafavi co-wrote the screenplay alongside Payam Karami.
Context & significance
Iranian drama cinema has long explored the tensions that live inside ordinary households and quiet relationships — the things left unsaid between people who share a life. Astigmatism fits within a lineage of introspective Persian films that prioritize emotional realism over plot momentum. For diaspora viewers who grew up watching Iranian cinema's careful, observational style, this film speaks a familiar language. It is also a film about the condition of imperfect sight — both literal and emotional — a metaphor that resonates across cultures and generations of Iranians living between two worlds, where the act of seeing clearly is itself a kind of struggle.
Where & how to watch
Astigmatism is available on K-Time with Persian dubbing. Watch it on your browser, TV, or phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, no extra download required. Start watching with a K-Time subscription and cancel anytime.