20 Best Iranian Films So Far | Classic Iranian films
Iranian cinema has a heritage of diversity that has flourished despite the constraints of an oppressive regime. It has passed the test of time against censorship and exile. Iran's film industry had humble beginnings around the first decade of the 20th century. It was in 1904 that Tehran got its first cinema.
The films produced by the film industry were quite popular among the masses and Iranians flocked to cinemas to watch these early masterpieces. Twenty-five years later, Iran developed its national cinema that embodied morality, humanity, and integrity. It even had its first film school in 1925.
There are many apps on the market where you can download Iranian films, and one of those apps is Vidmate. An app globally recognized for its outstanding collection, user-friendly interface, and cost-effectiveness. So, watch the best Iranian films on Vidmate, and you will surely never look back!
Part 1. 20 top Iranian films of all time
1. The House Is Black
This is a short documentary depicting life in a colony of lepers. Iran's post-revolution film industry drew inspiration from it. The film shows human suffering but also elevates simple joy. There is much intelligence in this documentary, yet it does not ignore the suffering of the leprosy patients who inhabit the city slum.
2. Brick and Mirror
Directed by Ebrahim Golestan, the plot revolves around a taxi driver and his girlfriend who try to find a woman who abandoned a baby in the back seat. The film draws our attention to social anxieties and the moral dilemmas we face in life. The film reveals social realism.
3. The Cow
The film was a landmark achievement in Iran's film industry. It was the first Iranian film to attract international critical attention and a signpost toward a new wave of filmmakers. The plot is based on a man named Hasan and his pet cow.
4. Still Life
This is a subtle film that depicts the work of visual poetry. Credits are used for repetition. The plot follows an old railway signalman named Mohammad whose job is to open and close the railroad crossing several times a day. The film is set in a rural location called "Nowhereville".
5. The Runner
The film is drawn from director Amir Naderi's childhood experiences. It celebrates the triumph of the human spirit in the face of hardship. The plot centers on a character named Amiro who enjoys doing hard work like selling water and shining shoes until he realizes that to make his life better he needs to go to school and learn to read.
6. The Cyclist
The plot is inspired by director Mohsen Makhmalbaf's real childhood events. It shows that Nasim, an Afghan refugee, works as a good laborer while his wife is confined in a hospital. Nasim must find a way to pay for her treatment.
7. Close-Up
The film's plot revolves around the revolution of Kiarostami and Hossein Sabzian, the main character, getting caught in a fraud attempt while impersonating the famous Iranian auteur Mohsen Makhmalbaf. In the meeting with Kiarostami, Sabzian conveys a message to Mr. Makhmalbaf, saying, "The Cyclist is a part of me".
8. Time of Innocence
The film's plot is set in 1970 when student protests erupted. The director then boldly stabbed a police officer. Now twenty years later he tracks down the officer to make a film about what happened to both of them that day. Instead of using a calm documentary format and knowing that documenting the past is difficult enough, Makhmalbaf decides to tell his unique story.
9. Taste of Cherry
Screenwriter Kiarostami spent eight years writing the film's script, and it shows in the film's authenticity and characters. With long shots, the film successfully maintains distance from the audience. The film's engagement never breaks, and there are many visual clues disguised as exposition.
10. The Apple
This is the first film by director Samira Makhmalbaf, daughter of the renowned Mohsen Makhmalbaf. The film is a gem that portrays the real-life story of two sisters who were locked in their home by troubled parents for 12 years.
11. The Color of Paradise
The film tells the story of a blind boy named Mohammed, eight years old. He lives with Hashem, his father, and he has two sisters and a grandmother. They live in a rural village. It depicts the suffering of Hashem and Mohammed. Hashem considers remarrying after the death of his wife.
12. The Day I Became a Woman
This is a film about three generations of women subjected to endless oppression as they mourn freedom. The film slowly unfolds, captivating the audience with a rich tapestry. The plot centers on three girls: Havva, Ahoo, Hoora.
13. Ten
This is a hallmark of excellence in Iran's film industry that presents ten different conversations between a driver and his passenger to the audience. The film's story is based on the life of a psychiatrist who conducts sessions with patients in his car after hours.
14. The Turtle Can Fly
This is a film about child refugees trapped in the violence of war. Here, the turtle is used as a metaphor representing the Kurdish diaspora. The film questions our perceptions of war-torn countries that are unable to provide care and affection.
15. A Separation
The film tells the story of a woman who wants to leave Iran so her daughter can find better opportunities. However, her husband refuses to leave because his father suffers from Alzheimer's disease and requires constant care.
16. Offside
The film was inspired by the director's daughter going to the stadium to watch a football match. In the film, football is used to portray discrimination and patriarchy in Iranian society.
17. About Elly
The film is gripping and features an accident or incident that leads to conflict and confrontation. It showcases Iranian superstar Golshifteh Farahani, who gives an outstanding performance.
18. The White Balloon
The film is about a young girl who wants a goldfish as a gift for Eid. She thinks the goldfish in the pond are unappealing and convinces her mother to give her money, only to be tricked by a snake charmer.
19. The Lizard
The film is about a man nicknamed the Lizard because of his ability to climb walls. He is a thief and has been imprisoned before. He injures himself during a chase while escaping.
20. Children of Heaven
The film tells the story of two children, Ali and Zahra, who are poor and live with their parents in south Tehran.
Part 2. Watching and Downloading Iranian Films
Are you Iranian and always looking for the latest Iranian films? If so, download Vidmate, the one-stop app where you can download all Iranian films from the oldest to the newest. Watching films in our native language is what most film lovers prefer, and that's why this app contains a large collection of films in various languages. With a few clicks, you can save films on your device and besides films you can also enjoy TV shows, WhatsApp status videos, and audio songs in the same app. So all you need is this app on your phone to entertain yourself anytime, anywhere.
This user-friendly app is safe to install, and you can download it from its official site. Here are some steps to use the app to watch films.
Step 1: Visit Vidmate's official site and install the app from there.
Step 2: In the search bar, type the film name or desired keywords to find the film.
Step 3: Click the film you want to download or stream online.
Step 4: Click the download option, as shown in the image.
Step 5: Click the download option again to finally save the film on your phone.