Cinema: "Circumstance" at Sundance 2011!

The movie “Circumstance” by Maryam Keshavarz, shot in Beirut by Né à Beyrouth Production, will be having its World Premiere in US Dramatic Competition at Sundance 2011!

It is one of 16 films chosen for the US competition – a section that receives the most attention at Sundance. It is an incredibly rare occurrence for a foreign-language film to be in the US Competition.

Circumstance
Run time: 105 min. U.S.A., Iran, Lebanon Language: Farsi with English subtitles color

Synopsis – A rare glimpse of forbidden love in today’s Iranian youth culture.

A wealthy Iranian family struggles to contain a teenager’s growing sexual rebellion and her brother’s dangerous obsession.

Teenagers Atafeh, and her best friend, Shireen, are experimenting with their burgeoning sexuality when Atafeh’s brother, Mehran, returns home from drug rehab.

Battling his demons, Mehran vehemently renounces his former life as a classical musician and joins the morality police. He disapproves of his sister’s developing intimate relationship with Shireen and becomes obsessed with saving Shireen from Atafeh’s influence. Suddenly, the two siblings, who were close confidants, are entangled in a triangle of suspense, surveillance, and betrayal as the once-liberal haven of the family home becomes a place of danger for the beautiful Atafeh.

Splendidly constructed and saturated with a sumptuous sense of style and sensuality, Circumstance marks the arrival of an exciting, original talent.

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Director: Maryam Keshavarz
Screenwriter: Maryam Keshavarz
Cast: Nikohl Boosheri, Sarah Kazemy, Reza Sixo Safai, Soheil Parsa, Nasrin Pakkho, Sina Amedson, Keon Mohajeri

Producer: Karin Chien, Maryam Keshavarz, Melissa M. Lee

Line Producer: Pierre Sarraf
Composer: Gingger Shankar
Cinematographer: Brian Rigney Hubbard
Editor: Andrea Chignoli
Coproducer: Antonin Dedet

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The Director - Maryam Keshavarz studied Persian literature at the University of Shiraz before turning to filmmaking. She has a B.A. in literature and women’s studies from Northwestern University and a master’s in Near Eastern studies from the University of Michigan.

Maryam Keshavarz worked closely with Sundance Institute staff and industry mentors to shepherd drafts into scripts, scripts into films, and films into Festival-worthy features.

Circumstance website: http://www.circumstancethemovie.com/