Atafeh (Nikohl Boosheri) is a rebellious 16 year old living in contemporary Teheran with her rich and well-educated parents: her father Firouz (Soheil Parsa) and her mother Azar (Nasrin Pakkho). Their moody son Mehran (Reza Sixo Safai) has just been released from a drug rehabilitation center and has turned to Islamic fundamentalism as a way of reforming his life. His parents are sad to learn that he has given up his plans to be a musician.
Atafeh's best friend and constant companion is Shireen (Sarah Kazemy) who accompanies her to dancing clubs where they indulge in drugs and flirt with men even though they are in love with each other. Shireen is often bothered by the police since her parents were critical of the Islamic Republic. She dreams of running away with Atafeh and managing her lover's career as a performer. But all their dreams of a life together are shattered when Mehran joins the "Morality Police" and sets up a surveillance system in his home so he can spy on his family.
Debut director Maryam Keshavarz's gripping and creative film vividly conveys the clash between the pop culture of the West and the rigid vision of Islamic fundamentalism, especially its low opinion and shoddy treatment of women. The actresses playing Atafeh and Shireen beautifully bring out the passion of these two young women who want to create their own path into the future. Their view of life and pleasure are in stark contrast to Mehran's; this young man's religious zeal turns him into a destroyer of family solidarity and freedom. It is sad to see his devotion to Allah used to bring down those closest to him.
