The Persian Version

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The Persian Version

R

2023

1h 47m

Comedy

Drama

LGBTQ+

Romance

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

82 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

Leila is an Iranian American woman who strives to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures. When her large family reunites in New York City for her father's heart transplant, she keeps everyone at arm's length -- until a secret is revealed.

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Critics Consensus

A vibrant portrait of culture clashes and generation gaps, The Persian Version gains added resonance through its spirited specificity.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Mar 25, 2024

4/5

Don’t let the first 15 minutes of this rousing modern melodrama fool you.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Mar 25, 2024

3/5

Maryam Keshavarz’s drama is an astute dissection of mother-daughter discord; it’s perceptive and candid in its insights into the push-pull cultural struggle experienced by second-generation immigrants.

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Cath Clarke

Guardian

Mar 20, 2024

3/5

Keshavarz cranks up the charm, and the feelgood factor makes it an easy watch – despite some of the gags feeling more suited to a TV sitcom.

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Ben Turner

The Pink Lens

Mar 30, 2025

3/5

Colourful and vibrant, this beautifully revels in the charm of Persia, but is held back by dislikeable protagonist. But if you’re looking for a film that showcases all things Persian, this is definitely your film.

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Jack Martin

Film Feeder

Aug 5, 2024

3/5

It’s a noble but flawed look at a culture that nonetheless deserves its time in the spotlight.

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Jericho Tadeo

The Asian Cut

Jul 12, 2024

8/10

As The Persian Version flits back and forth between the past and present and between America and Iran, we see how even the slightest change in perspective can allow us to see, perhaps even appreciate, a situation in a whole new light.

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David Biglari

Nov 18, 2023

Great directing, excellent acting and overall a perfect comedy yet a tear jerker.

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Andrew K

Nov 15, 2023

Story was well written. Pacing was great and the film really kept me engaged to the screen. One of the best films Ive seen all year. Very amazing how the Persians are so similar to many immigrant success stories of different ethnicities.

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Nancy

Nov 12, 2023

I laughed and cried in this movie! Great story telling and funny characters.

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Sophie

Nov 7, 2023

It was a fun and well portrayed movie.

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Alex R

Nov 7, 2023

Complex, emotionally rich, funny, a joy to watch.

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Sara

Nov 6, 2023

As a Persian (Iranian) woman, there were lots of realistic issues that immigrant moms and daughters deal with in America. Some moments were a bit cheesy and the dance scenes were trying too hard to be Bollywood (some of the dance moves were more Indian than Persian so that was inauthentic and a bit annoying. And also the actors were not good dancers - Im a dancer so this was more a personal peeve lol). But overall, enjoyable to watch and happy to see more Persian movies that are not super depressing being made!

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Maryam Keshavarz

Director

Layla Mohammadi

Leila

Niousha Noor

Shireen

Kamand Shafieisabet

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Bijan Daneshmand

Ali Reza Jamshidpour

Bella Warda

Mamanjoon

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Synopsis

Leila is an Iranian American woman who strives to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures. When her large family reunites in New York City for her father's heart transplant, she keeps everyone at arm's length -- until a secret is revealed.

Director: Maryam Keshavarz
Producer: Maryam Keshavarz, Anne Carey, Ben Howe, Luca Borghese, Cory Neal, Peter Block
Screenwriter: Maryam Keshavarz
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: AgX, A Bigger Boat, MaraKesh Films, Archer Gray
Rating: R (Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, LGBTQ+, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 20, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 5, 2023
Box Office (Gross USA): $559.4K
Runtime: 1h 47m

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