Director: Kamal Tabrizi
Cast: Hoda Zeinolabedin, Roya Nownahali, Reza Kianian, Siavash Cheraghipour, Habib Rezaei
Dastandaz is a 2021 Iranian fantasy film directed by Kamal Tabrizi, running 84 minutes. The story follows a writer named Raha who longs to create something truly extraordinary, and whose wish is suddenly, unexpectedly granted — at the worst possible moment.
What is Dastandaz about?
Raha has spent years chasing a story worthy of her imagination, the kind of work that transcends the ordinary. When a fleeting, almost magical window opens and she suddenly discovers the ability to compose the extraordinary tale she has always dreamed of writing, something is wrong with the timing. Her newfound gift arrives not as a triumph but as a complication, placing her at the center of a personal crisis she must somehow navigate while holding the fragile promise of her story together. The film keeps its premise intimate — it is less about fantasy as spectacle and more about what it costs a person to pursue creative ambition when life refuses to cooperate.
Cast & crew
Director Kamal Tabrizi is one of the most respected names in Iranian popular cinema, known for blending accessible storytelling with emotional depth. Leading the cast is Hoda Zeinolabedin as Raha, joined by Roya Nownahali, Reza Kianian, Siavash Cheraghipour, Habib Rezaei, and the veteran Homayoun Ershadi — a cast that brings considerable weight to a modestly scaled production.
Context & significance
Iranian fantasy films occupy a distinct space within Persian cinema — they tend to be grounded in personal experience rather than elaborate world-building, using a light fantastical premise as a lens to examine real human pressures. Dastandaz belongs to this tradition, centering a woman's creative struggle in a way that diaspora audiences, many of whom carry their own deferred ambitions across continents, will likely find resonant. Tabrizi has a long track record of making films that connect emotionally with broad Persian-speaking audiences both inside Iran and abroad. For viewers who enjoy stories about artists, writers, and the friction between dreaming and living, this film offers a quiet, character-driven entry point.
Where & how to watch
Dastandaz is available to watch on K-Time with original Persian audio. Stream it on your browser, TV, or phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, no extra download required. Subscribe and cancel anytime.