Hit the Road

Iranian writer-director Panah Panahi’s heartfelt feature debut follows a chaotic but loving family on a road trip across the country.

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The first feature from Iranian writer-director Panah Panahi (son of legendary director Jafar Panahi) follows a chaotic but loving family on a road trip across a rugged landscape. In the back seat, Dad appears to have a broken leg. Mom tries to laugh when she’s not holding back tears. The little brother keeps exploding into choreographed car karaoke. All of them are fussing over the sick dog and getting on each others’ nerves. Only the mysterious older brother is quiet.

Rather than define his characters, or even his film, Panahi leaves room for viewers to form their own interpretations. He states: “​​Life and art are packed with paradoxes and they are richer if we are left to explore them individually. It’s about creating an opening, an elevation above the limitations set out by norms, to create surprises that trouble and enchant.”

Content advisory: coarse language