Sept. 27: Ava

Posted on Posted in Screenings

Thursday, Sept. 27 @ 7 pm / Galaxy Cinemas / Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Director: Sadaf Foroughi
Iran/Canada/Qatar; 2017
Farsi with English subtitles; 103 minutes
Rating: PG

Coming of age in Iran, Ava (Mahour Jabbari) faces pressure to meet the expectations of her parents, teachers, and friends. After an act
of betrayal by her mother, Ava rebels. And when she learns that her
parents were once flagrant rule breakers themselves, her rebellious
behaviour escalates, leading to life-altering choices. Foroughi’s
masterful direction vividly renders Ava’s internal turmoil, creating
one of the strongest, most richly developed female leads seen this
year. An exquisitely composed and gripping drama.

It’s a gripping, steely performance, complex and smart in a way you don’t often seen teen girls portrayed – anywhere. Janet Smith, Georgia Straight

Foroughi’s shrewd filmmaking uses the frame to advantage: the
tightening of Ava’s constraints is matched by the mise en scène around her. Mallory Andrews, Cinema Scope

Ava is a layered, complex character, and one that anyone who was ever a teenager can identify with. Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle