I’M TARANEH, 15

Director Rassul Sadr-Ameli (The Girl in the Sneakers, CIFF 2001) has created another irresistible teen heroine in Taraneh. With her mother dead, grandmother ailing, and beloved father in prison, Taraneh toils at a photo shop after school to support the family. Her sweet face and cheerful ways attract the attention of Amir Hossein, son of a neighboring businessman. She refuses his overtures, but he proposes. Amir's disapproving mother suggests they try a temporary marriage that will allow them to be together in public, yet still live apart. Soon, the young couple discovers they are incompatible. She's responsible and serious while he's a spoiled wastrel. When Amir is arrested for being with some other girls, Taraneh gets a divorce. Amir leaves for Germany and Taraneh discovers she is pregnant. She decides to keep the baby despite the wishes of her former mother-in-law. Settling into a rented room in a dangerous part of Tehran, Taraneh leaves school to support herself. She also befriends some runaway girls whose problems lead them on a different path. Written by Sadr Ameli and Kambuzia Partovi (co-writer of The Circle), and performed with delicacy and sincerity by its young cast, the film offers an unprecedentedly frank look at the concerns of Iranian youth. This compelling social issues melodrama earned four prizes including Best Actress and Best Script at Tehran's Fajr Film Festival. The charismatic Taraneh Alidousti also captured the Best Actress Award in Locarno where the film took a Special Jury prize for “best conveying the spirit of communication between people and culture.” (In Farsi with English subtitles)