Saeed Roustaee

• Iranian director, born in Tehran in 1989.

  In a handful of intense films, Saeed Roustaee has become a leading figure in Iranian cinema. Coming from a modest background, he was encouraged by his family in his desire to make films and studied filmmaking at the Soore University in Tehran. After a few short films and an acclaimed documentary, he signed his first feature-length drama at the age of 26: Life and a Day (2016). This family drama already marks his interest in the destinies of characters caught up in the socio-economic crisis. Just 6.5, his second feature film, established him in his country (it was seen by more than 3 million Iranians) and internationally. Presented at the Venice Film Festival in 2019, this energic social thriller takes an uncompromising look at the ravages of drug dealing. This is followed by the tragic Leila’s Brothers, in competition at Cannes in 2022, which won the FIPRESCI prize but was banned from being shown in Iran. It features his favorite actors Navid Mohammadzadeh and Peyman Maadi as well as the actress and activist Taraneh Alidoosti, a figure of a new generation of feminism.

• Life and a Day (2016) - Just 6.5 (2021) - Leila's Brothers (2022)