Tales (Ghesseh-ha)

(2014, DCP, 88m, Farsi with English subtitles) dir Rakhshan Banietemad Composed of seven interconnected stories, each delving into the struggles and complexities of working-class life and labor, Tales reflects on myriad social, political, and personal crises facing modern Iranians. Blending documentary and narrative forms, the film subverts expectations and examines the relationship between reality and storytelling, blurring these lines to examine the impacts of drug addiction, domestic violence, and union crackdowns, all bound up in a critique of an overly bureaucratic state. Selected to compete and screen at many renowned events, like the Venice International Film Festival and TIFF, Banietemad’s film is as relevant today as it was upon its release. 

Programmed by Mizna friend and frequent collaborator, Professor Sima Shakhsari, who will introduce the film screening. 

The 2025 Mizna Film Series presents some of our favorite archival classics from the past 60 years of Iran’s cinema history. Beginning with a beloved classic from Abbas Kiarostami and ending with a tribute to Dariush Mehrjui, we’re proud to present these films in collaboration with the Twin Cities Iranian Culture Collective and the Trylon Cinema.