Directed by Ali Asgari and Alireza Khatami (Iran, 2023, 77 min.). Farsi with English subtitles.

Terrestrial Verses follows everyday people from all walks of life as they navigate the cultural, religious, and institutional constraints imposed on them by various social authorities, from schoolteachers to bureaucrats, under the Islamic State of Iran. These stirring vignettes, humorous and affecting, capture the spirit and determination of people living with adversity, offering a nuanced portrait of a complex society.

“Elegant, eloquent, and unwavering in its determination to reveal the plight of the individual Iranians it showcases, Terrestrial Versus is confident, compelling filmmaking.” —Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Alliance of Women Film Journalists

Watch the trailer.