Tambourine

Parisa Bakhtavar's 2008 Iranian film follows Mohammad, who goes to install satellite dishes in a wealthy district of Tehran. The work is illegal; with him is Shirin, who needs money to repair her father's car, and the two enter several apartments in a single day. The film sets different classes side by side through that work. In each flat there is another family, another problem and another prohibition; the narrative shows them in sections without tying them into one story. The humour comes from a ban everyone knows about and everyone breaks. Baran Kosari and Saber Abar lead. It is Bakhtavar's first feature and the tone is kept light. Who it's for: those who like contemporary Iranian comedy and films based on urban observation. Who it's not for: viewers expecting deep social criticism; the film keeps its observations on the surface.