Director: Bahman Goodarzi
Cast: Amir Jafari, Amin Hayaei, Amirhossein Rostami, Reyhaneh Parsa
Hawaii is a 2023 Iranian drama film directed by Bahman Goodarzi, running nearly three hours and examining the collision between foreign religious ambition and deeply rooted indigenous culture. The film stars Amir Jafari, Amin Hayaei, Amirhossein Rostami, and Reyhaneh Parsa in a story that moves from optimism to inevitable grief.
What is Hawaii about?
Two American missionaries arrive on the Hawaiian archipelago with a clear purpose: to reshape the spiritual lives of its native people. The husband and wife bring with them the certainty that their faith offers something the islanders need. What unfolds instead is a slow, painful recognition that cultures shaped over centuries cannot simply be redirected by conviction alone. The more the missionaries press their mission, the deeper the fractures grow — not just between the newcomers and the community they seek to reach, but within their own relationship. The film builds its tragedy patiently, rooting the outcome in character rather than incident.
Cast & crew
Director Bahman Goodarzi shapes the film with a measured hand, allowing tension to build through restraint rather than dramatic flourish. Amir Jafari and Amin Hayaei anchor the film with layered performances, while Amirhossein Rostami and Reyhaneh Parsa round out a cast that brings emotional credibility to a story demanding quiet intensity from every principal role.
Context & significance
For Iranian diaspora audiences, Hawaii carries a resonance that extends well beyond its Pacific Island setting. At its core the film is a meditation on the cost of cultural imposition — a theme that speaks directly to communities who have themselves navigated the pressure to assimilate or transform. Iranian cinema has a strong tradition of examining power, identity, and the fractures that emerge when belief systems clash, and Goodarzi's film continues that lineage. The three-hour runtime signals a deliberate commitment to depth over spectacle, inviting viewers who appreciate character-driven drama told at a naturalistic pace. Persian-speaking audiences abroad who follow contemporary Iranian arthouse output will find this title worth the investment.
Where & how to watch
Hawaii is available on K-Time in its original language with subtitles. You can stream it through the web, on your TV, or on your phone — no VPN is required, no extra download needed, and no geo-blocking applies. Start a subscription and cancel anytime.