Iran is a country with a rich and diverse culture, history, and art. Its cinema is no exception, as it has produced some of the most acclaimed and influential films in the world. Iranian movies are known for their realism, humanism, social commentary, and artistic expression.

In this list, we will introduce you to 10 Iranian movies that will blow your mind with their powerful stories and stunning visuals. Whether you are a fan of drama, comedy, thriller, or romance, there is something for everyone on this list.

1. A Separation (2011)

This Oscar-winning drama is a masterpiece of storytelling and acting. It follows the lives of a married couple who are facing a difficult decision: whether to stay in Iran and care for their elderly father who has Alzheimer's disease, or to leave the country and pursue a better future for their daughter. Their situation becomes more complicated when they hire a young woman to help them with the housework and the father's care. A series of events leads to a tragic conflict that reveals the moral dilemmas and social pressures of modern Iranian society. A Separation is a gripping and realistic portrait of a family in crisis that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end.

2. The Salesman (2016)

Another Oscar-winning drama by the same director of A Separation, Asghar Farhadi. The Salesman tells the story of a couple who are forced to move to a new apartment after their old one is damaged by an earthquake. They soon discover that the previous tenant was a prostitute who had many clients visiting the place. One night, while the husband is away, the wife is attacked by an unknown man who mistakes her for the former tenant. The husband becomes obsessed with finding the assailant and avenging his wife's honor, while the wife struggles with the trauma and the shame of the incident. The Salesman is a tense and suspenseful thriller that explores the themes of justice, revenge, guilt, and forgiveness in Iranian culture.

3. Taste of Cherry (1997)

This Palme d'Or-winning film by Abbas Kiarostami is a minimalist and existential masterpiece. It follows the journey of a middle-aged man who drives around Tehran looking for someone who would agree to bury him after he commits suicide. He meets various people along the way, such as a young soldier, a Kurdish seminarian, and an Afghan taxidermist, who each have their own views on life and death. Taste of Cherry is a poetic and philosophical meditation on the meaning and value of human existence that challenges the viewer's perception of reality and cinema.

4. Close-Up (1990)

This film by Abbas Kiarostami is a unique hybrid of documentary and fiction that blurs the line between reality and artifice. It tells the true story of Hossein Sabzian, a poor and unemployed cinephile who impersonated the famous Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf and befriended a wealthy family under false pretenses. He was arrested and put on trial for fraud and deception. Kiarostami filmed the actual trial and interviewed Sabzian and the family members involved in the case. He also recreated some scenes from Sabzian's life using real people as actors. Close-Up is a fascinating and complex exploration of identity, illusion, cinema, and human nature that questions the truth and ethics of filmmaking and storytelling.

5. The Color of Paradise (1999)

Majid Majidi, one of the acclaimed directors, made this beautiful and touching story. This film focuses on the story of a blind boy named Mohammad who lives in a rural village with his grandmother. He has an extraordinary gift for sensing nature and learning through sound and touch. He attends a special school for blind children in Tehran where he excels in his studies and makes friends with his classmates. However, his father, who is ashamed of his disability and wants to remarry, does not appreciate his son's talents and tries to get rid of him by sending him to an apprentice carpenter in another town. The Color of Paradise is a visually stunning and emotionally moving film that celebrates the innocence and joy of childhood as well as the power and beauty of nature.

6. Turtles Can Fly (2004)

This film by Bahman Ghobadi is set in a Kurdish refugee camp on the Iraqi-Turkish border during the eve of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. It focuses on the lives of several children who have lost their parents or limbs due to landmines or war violence. They try to survive by collecting and selling metal scraps or satellite dishes that can receive news about the impending war. They also have their own dreams and hopes, such as finding their missing relatives, escaping to a better place, or falling in love. Turtles Can Fly is a heartbreaking and harrowing film that depicts the horrors and hardships of war and its impact on the most vulnerable and innocent victims: children.

7. The Wind Will Carry Us (1999)

Abbas Kiarostami made this film with a poetic and humorous journey. The story focuses on a filmmaker who travels to a remote village in the Iranian countryside to document the funeral rites of an old woman who is expected to die soon. However, he finds himself waiting for her death for several days, while interacting with the local people and experiencing their simple and traditional way of life. He also develops a friendship with a young boy who guides him around the village and helps him with his communication problems. The Wind Will Carry Us is a lyrical and philosophical film that reflects on the themes of life and death, culture and nature, art and reality, and the relationship between the urban and the rural.

8. Offside (2006)

This film by Jafar Panahi is a witty and lively comedy that tackles the issue of gender discrimination in Iranian society. It follows the adventures of a group of young women who disguise themselves as men in order to enter a soccer stadium and watch the 2006 World Cup qualifying match between Iran and Bahrain. Women are banned from attending such events due to religious and cultural reasons. The women are caught by the security guards and detained in a makeshift prison outside the stadium, where they try to persuade, bribe, or trick their way out. They also bond with each other and some of the guards over their passion for soccer and their desire for freedom and equality. Offside is a fun and engaging film that uses humor and satire to criticize the absurdity and injustice of the Iranian system.

9. The White Balloon (1995)

A charming and delightful story of a seven-year-old girl named Razieh who wants to buy a goldfish for the Iranian New Year celebration. She convinces her mother to give her a 500-toman banknote (equivalent to $5) and sets off to the market with her brother Ali. Along the way, she encounters various obstacles and challenges that threaten to ruin her plan, such as losing her money, meeting a snake charmer, being chased by a dog, and dealing with a grumpy shopkeeper. The White Balloon is a simple and sweet film that captures the innocence and curiosity of childhood as well as the spirit and atmosphere of the Iranian New Year.

10. Children of Heaven (1997)

Other works from Majid Majidi, this film is another heartwarming and uplifting story of childhood in Iran. It follows the adventures of Ali, a nine-year-old boy who accidentally loses his sister Zahra's only pair of shoes after taking them to be repaired. Afraid of their parents' reaction, they decide to share Ali's sneakers by taking turns wearing them at school. However, this causes them many problems and inconveniences, such as being late for classes, running fast between home and school, hiding from their parents, and facing bullies. They also try to find a solution by entering a running race that offers a pair of sneakers as the third prize. Children of Heaven is an adorable and inspiring film that shows the love and loyalty between siblings as well as the resilience and optimism of children in difficult situations.

These are just some of the many amazing movies to introduce you to Iranian cinema. Which film do you think you want to watch first?

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Intro to Iranian Cinema: 10 Movies That Will Change Your Perspective on Life