Director: Kamal Tabrizi
Cast: Parviz Parastui, Bahram Ebrahimi, Reza Saeedi
Marmulak is an Iranian comedy-drama film directed by Kamal Tabrizi, produced by Manouchehr Mohammadi, and starring Parviz Parastui. A beloved classic of modern Persian cinema, it follows a street-smart thief who disguises himself as a clergyman to escape prison, setting off a chain of absurd and tender situations.
What is Marmulak about?
A cunning petty criminal, nicknamed 'The Lizard' for his ability to scale walls and slip out of tight situations, finds himself serving time behind bars. When an unexpected opportunity for escape presents itself, he seizes it — but the only disguise available belongs to a cleric. Forced to adopt the role of a religious figure, he must navigate a small community that takes him entirely at face value, showering him with trust and spiritual expectation. The gap between who he really is and who everyone believes him to be grows wider with each passing day, pulling him in directions he never anticipated. The story builds around that tension between identity, sincerity, and the strange grace that can arrive from the most unlikely circumstances.
Cast & crew
Parviz Parastui, one of Iranian cinema's most respected character actors, carries the film with a performance that balances physical comedy and quiet emotional depth. Bahram Ebrahimi and Reza Saeedi round out the principal cast, lending strong support to a story that depends entirely on the chemistry of its ensemble. Director Kamal Tabrizi guides each scene with a light touch.
Context & significance
Marmulak arrived at a moment when Iranian satirical comedy was finding new confidence on screen, using humor as a vehicle for social commentary that resonated far beyond the country's borders. For diaspora audiences, the film carries an extra layer of meaning: it captures the collision between formal religious expectation and lived, imperfect humanity — a tension deeply familiar to Iranians who grew up navigating those two worlds. Its warmth and irreverence made it a cultural touchstone that Persians around the world still quote and revisit, and it remains a natural conversation starter across generations.
Where & how to watch
Marmulak is available now on K-Time in its original Persian audio. Stream it on the web, your TV, or your phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, no extra download required. Your subscription covers everything; cancel anytime.