Director: Siavash As'adi
Gharize (2023) is an Iranian period drama that unfolds across a single summer in the late 1960s, tracing the quiet bond that forms between two teenagers in a rural corner of the country. Directed by Siavash As'adi, the film pairs veteran performers with two young newcomers and centers its story on first affection, family ties, and a shared fascination with the movies.
What is Gharize about?
Atieh, a sixteen-year-old girl, arrives at a small village alongside her mother to stay with Rassoul, a man who had been a close friend of her late father. The visit brings her into the household of Rassoul and his fourteen-year-old son, Kamran, a boy already devoted to the world of cinema and its heroes, adventures, and larger-than-life stories. As the days of summer pass, Atieh and Kamran are drawn to one another, and Kamran opens a door for her into the films that shape his imagination. Their growing closeness plays out against the calm rhythm of village life and the wider mood of the era. By the season's end, a difficult choice awaits, one that will leave a lasting mark on both of them. The film keeps its focus on the small gestures and turning points of adolescence rather than on large events.
Cast & crew
Amin Hayaei and Pantea Panahiha lead the adult cast, while the two central teenage roles go to newcomers Saina Rohani, who plays Atieh, and Mahdiar Shahmohammadi, who plays Kamran, both in early screen appearances. The ensemble also includes Pardis Pourabedini, Zhaleh Sameti, Farhad Sharifi, and Afshin Sangchap in supporting parts.
Context & significance
Directed by Siavash As'adi, Gharize is a period piece that places its story in the late 1340s of the Solar Hijri calendar, corresponding to the late 1960s. Running roughly 125 minutes, it is classified as a drama with family and romance elements. Cinema itself is woven through the narrative, as one of the young characters experiences the medium's early pull, giving the film a story-within-a-story texture. The rural setting and mid-century period detail frame a narrative that stays close to its two central characters and the summer they share.
Where & how to watch
Gharize can be streamed on K-Time with a free account login. This page is open to read without signing in, while playback requires an account. K-Time serves the Iranian diaspora with a Farsi-first interface, making it straightforward to browse Persian-language titles and follow the story in its original language.