The Persian Version Is a Generational Story Bathed in Love and Light

Every family has secrets.  The longer they are kept, the longer they fester.  Eventually they grow like a fungus where one can no longer distinguish the truth from the reality. In the midst of the madness you are thrown a curve balls of facts.  Do you catch it, embrace it or thrown it back?

Coming from two countries at odds with each other, Iranian-American Leila (Layla Mohammadi) strives to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures, while boldly challenging the labels society is so quick to project upon her. When her family reunites in New York City for her father’s heart transplant, Leila navigates her relationships from arm’s length in an effort to keep her “real” life separate from her family life. However, when her secret is unceremoniously revealed, so are the distinct parallels between her life and that of her mother, Shireen (Niousha Noor).

Punctuated by a bright color palette, snappy comedic relief, and vibrant dance numbers, The Persian Version delivers an honest portrayal of a woman who remains unapologetically herself, blended seamlessly into a heartfelt story about family, belonging, and the undeniable influence of pop music.

Writer-director and producer Maryam Keshavarz delivers a compelling, intelligent, and timely story of both the Iranian and Iranian-American, experience bathed in humor a wonderfully crafted performances.

Layla Mohammadi gives the perfect balance of being independent from her family. but needing and wanting their acceptance simultaneously with heart, humor and vulnerability. Niousha Noor as her always disapproving Mom – Shirin is perfection. The final moment between her and Layla had me sobbing buckets. But, it is Tom Byrne (Maximilian Balthazar) as the star of Hedwig and the Angry Inch that had me howling.  His is seriously comedy gold!

Keshavarz massively succeeds mixing past with present, while sprinkling events with humor drawing you into a family that is all too familiar yet completely different.  In addition, she  illustrates how keeping secrets can either destroy a family or bring them closer. In this instance, they become about as close as they can get.