Is Setareh Bazi a real Iranian film or an international co-production?

It is a fully Iranian production directed by Hatef Alimardani, though the cast includes both Iranian and international actors such as Michael Madsen, giving it a broader reach than a typical domestic drama.

Koja mishe filme Setareh Bazi ro online did?

You can watch Setareh Bazi on K-Time from any device — browser, smart TV, or phone — without VPN or geo-restrictions. No extra downloads needed.

Does Setareh Bazi have English subtitles or Persian dubbing?

The film is presented in its original Persian audio on K-Time. Check the player settings for available subtitle options when you start the film.

What is Setareh Bazi about in simple terms?

It follows characters whose paths cross in unexpected ways as they navigate personal ambitions and relationships, told through a quiet, intimate dramatic style that premiered at the Fajr Film Festival in 2021.

Setareh Bazi

Name: Setareh Bazi
Genre: Drama
Released: 2021
Duration: 90 min
Cast: Melissa Zakeri, Farhad Aslani, Marshall Manesh, Hasti Javadi, Michael Madsen

Director: Hatef Alimardani

Cast: Melissa Zakeri, Farhad Aslani, Marshall Manesh, Hasti Javadi, Michael Madsen

Setareh Bazi (Playing with Stars) is a 2021 Iranian drama film directed and written by Hatef Alimardani, presenting a multilingual cast across Iranian and international actors in a story that unfolds against contemporary themes of ambition, connection, and chance.

What is Setareh Bazi about?

The story centers on characters whose lives become unexpectedly intertwined through a shared pursuit of something greater than their immediate circumstances. As relationships form and fracture under the weight of unspoken desires and competing loyalties, each person is forced to confront the distance between where they stand and where they imagined they would be. The film moves at a measured, intimate pace, allowing tension to build through quiet exchanges and carefully observed moments rather than dramatic set pieces. By the time the characters reach a crossroads, the audience has been drawn deep into a world where small decisions carry outsized consequences.

Cast & crew

Director Hatef Alimardani also wrote the screenplay, bringing a personal authorial vision to every scene. Lead actress Melissa Zakeri anchors the emotional core of the story, while Farhad Aslani brings his characteristic gravitas to a pivotal role. The ensemble is rounded out by Marshall Manesh, Hasti Javadi, Michael Madsen, Ali Mosaffa, and Shabnam Moghadami, creating an unusually wide international reach for a contemporary Iranian production.

Context & significance

Setareh Bazi had its world premiere at the 39th Fajr Film Festival in 2021, one of Iran's most prestigious annual showcases, where it received two nominations — a mark of recognition within an industry that has produced world-class cinema for decades. For diaspora audiences, the film carries added resonance: it bridges Persian-language storytelling with a genuinely international cast, reflecting the lived reality of Iranians who have built lives across multiple cultures. Drama of this kind, rooted in Iranian sensibility yet open to outside influences, speaks directly to communities scattered from Toronto to Los Angeles who carry dual identities and the emotional weight that comes with them.

Where & how to watch

Setareh Bazi is available on K-Time in its original Persian audio. You can watch directly on the web, on your TV, or on your phone — no extra download required and no geo-blocking anywhere in the world. Subscription is flexible; cancel anytime.