A seemingly harmless weekend trip to the Caspian Sea by a group of Iranian friends takes a dramatic turn. After the mysterious disappearance of Elly, lies, feelings of guilt and moral conflicts come to light. The film unfolds a suspenseful portrait of modern Iranian society.
For 47 years, Iran has been largely isolated from the world due to political sanctions. One of the few ways to access Iranian society is through cultural formats, especially cinema. Iranian films enjoy a high international reputation and have won numerous awards at renowned festivals. Especially after the 1979 revolution that led to the Islamic Republic, an independent film language developed, characterised by poetic realism, subtle social criticism, minimalism and symbolic storytelling.
Three films curated by lecturer Elika Palenzona-Djalili offer impressive insights into everyday life, morals and social conflicts beyond the political headlines. Darbareye Elly is the second film in this series.
