Leila et ses frères

For the directors such as Saeed Roustaei, which their movies have the same thematic and a base storyline (which is incredible as a directing sign) is so complicated to make a same high quality movie with a different storyline and a different theme. But Saeed actually did it in the best possible way.

With having about 4 hours length, there is no way that even one part of the movie makes you feel sick or tired or bored which shows you the power of the storyline. By the way saeed must have been really grateful for having the trust of the best Iranian actors and actresses in order to give him the most powerful instrument of bringing his thoughts to reality.

The movie and the acts make you think and guess the story but it won't answer you soon. Sometimes it take more than a half hour for getting your answer and thats the point for a long movie to be acceptable to watch.

I guess Saeed tried to show the social restrictions in Iran in the clearest possible state. Without metaphors. The scenery of the worker's suppression or drinking in the wedding.

I saw the movie in the Paris, and I'm sure it will not be screened in Iran or it will be implemented with severe censorship.

BTW congrats to the cast and talented young director for making a movie which was deserved to win Palme d'Or.

Amazing movie that shows the generation gap in Iran and how they perceive values differently. It also shows what's going on in Iran and how people are pressured by the government and regime, the fact that if you are poor you are poor and there are barely supports for you.

What I like the most about this movie, is breaking the cliches about respecting older people and parents that the govenimedia massively invested on it during the last 43 years after the revolution just because they are just older, but this movie shows it otherwise.

I really liked this movie and now have to make this review longer so I can post it.

As someone who closely follows the roller coaster of events in Iran, I could relate to it very well. The story line is simple but the character development and layers of complexity introduced as you keep watching make it really exciting and deep. One of the best movies I've ever watched from a director who was under 30 when he made this. The movie is so realistic without any exaggeration. Our society suffers from such miserable culture. The movie is such a brilliant illustration of what we are deeply struggle whit. I think we need this revolution by the name of woman, life, freedom to overcome all negative aspects of old believes, thoughts and pains.

The father of this family in movie is somehow symbolicly like the person who is running country of Iran who is not thinking about his children's job and future of his people and only thinking about other people not his people.

"Leila's Brother" tells the story of poverty, pride and also persian social and cultural traditions. Eventhough our bright and clever protagonist - Leila experiences sexist behaviour from her parents and is constantly pushed aside, she is secretely the head of the family who keeps her relatives out of complete penury. Meanwhile her brothers are struggling with their careers and they still get more respect from their father than Leila. I found especially interesting this insight into the persian customs, where women are still treated differentely than men (e.g. When Leila couldn't attend a wedding reception because she is a woman). The story of Leila is closely intertwined with the story of her father, who is more interested in his fame and social status in the persian social ladder than the future of his own children. My opinion is that this picture represents the reality and everyday struggle of iranian men and especially women that are trying to break free from the unfair old traditions of their parents and in doing that this film makes itself valuable and also educational for non-persian audience. I must also point out the absolute stellar performance of Taraneh Alidoosti, who became the perfect choice for the resolute yet sensitive and compassionate Leila.

It's fair to say that life could have been better, that in the scheme of things you feel like you're a debtor, always helping others out, without a curse, bad word or shout, now it's time to make a stand, be the pacesetter. An opportunity to build a brighter future, for your brothers who perpetually are moochers, just need to find the capital, 40 gold coins would fit the bill, but you'll have to play the role of party pooper.

This is a fantastic piece of storytelling, that keeps you entranced for the entirety, as Leila does what needs to be done to drag her impoverished family out of their mire by acquiring a small retail outlet to start a family business. As you'd expect, things don't quite go to plan, especially as her aging father has his heart set on becoming the patriarchal leader of his wider family, a family that seeks to take advantage of his aspirations for their own financial gain.