Circumstance (1:47) 2011

Circumstance takes place in Tehran, Iran. Two teenage girls  secretly visit the underground social scene as they tell their families they are going to sewing class.  Atafeh and her parents welcome back her older brother, Mehran, from drug rehab. Mehran is now a changed man, no longer driven by his love of music but more interested in collaborating with the Morality Police. This is also a change for his family who are well educated and more secular. Mehran is attracted to Atafeh's best friend, Shireen. The problem is that Shireen is sexually attracted to Atafeh. Atafeh is also attracted to Shireen and is not happy with Mehran wanting to marry Shireen. The viewer can imagine how much danger the girls are flirting with. Mehran has hidden cameras throughout his home and is spying on all. Mehran also informs the police as to the location of the underground club the girls attend. The club is raided, they escape but eventually the Morality Police catch up with them, hauling them in the police station. My daughter and I attended the movie at the Criterion. It was screened in theatre 9 which holds no more than 20 people so we knew it was definitely an art house film. As we walked my daughter first words were "Thank God that we don't live in Iran." And I was in total agreement. This a good look at daily lives of young women (from affluent families) and the challenges they face. No violence but I was surprised at some of the vulgarity, they can swear like American teenagers. Circumstance was filmed in Beirut, Lebanon giving the film an authentic feel.