White Nights

Farzad Motamen's 2003 Iranian film follows a young literature teacher living a quiet life. One night he meets a woman weeping on a bridge; she promised to wait for the man she loves at the same spot a year later, and that night is approaching. The film consists of their conversations over four nights. He listens and keeps her company while his own feeling grows and is never spoken. The narrative builds this not as a story of renunciation but as an education. It is adapted from Dostoevsky's story and moved to Tehran. It was shot in black and white; the night streets and empty bridges are the only setting. Quotations from poetry run continuously through the dialogue. Who it's for: those who like Iranian cinema and literary adaptation. Who it's not for: viewers waiting for event; the film consists almost entirely of two people talking while walking.