Hit the Road

Directed by Panah Panahi

Release Year: 2021
Running time: 93
Country: Iran
Language: Persian with English Subtitles
$11.97 - Classroom Rights
MSRP: $19.95
$349.00 - With PPR
$499.00 - With DSL
$499.00 - With DSL and PPR
MSRP: $599.00
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Directed by: Panah Panahi
Writer: Panah Panahi

Panah Panahi, son and collaborator of embattled filmmaker Jafar Panahi and apprentice to Iranian master Abbas Kiarostami, makes a striking feature debut with this charming, sharp-witted, and deeply moving comic drama. Hit the Road takes the tradition of the Iranian road-trip movie and adds unexpected twists and turns. It follows a family of four – two middle-aged parents and their sons, one a taciturn adult, the other a ebullient six-year-old – as they drive across the Iranian countryside. Over the course of the trip, they bond over memories of the past, grapple with fears of the unknown, and fuss over their sick dog. Unspoken tensions arise and the film builds emotional momentum as it slowly reveals the furtive purpose for their journey. The result is a humanist drama that offers an authentic, often comedic, and deeply sincere observation of an Iranian family preparing to part with one of their own.

Reviews

“A lovable and affecting crowd-pleaser with universal appeal and real potential to become a word-of-mouth hit.”

- David Ehrlich, Indiewire
 

“Phenomenal! Thrillingly inventive, satisfyingly textured and infused with warmth and humanity, this is a triumph.”

- Wendy Ide, Screen Daily
 

“A breath of fresh air and a truly original work… contains more thrilling cinema than most other films at this year’s Cannes put together.”

- Elena Lazic, The Playlist
 

“A stunningly assured road movie.“

- Leigh Singer, Sight & Sound
 

“An intimate, frequently funny, poignant and deeply moving piece of work… damned near to being a masterpiece – if it isn’t simply one already.”

- John Bleasdale, Cinevue
 

Awards

Winner: Best Film – BFI London Film Festival

Winner:  GGA New Directors Prize – San Francisco Film Festival

Winner: Honorable Mention for Best Ensemble Cast – Philadelphia Film Festival 

Winner: Honorable Mention to Amin Simiar – Fort Lauderdale Film Festival 

Official Selection – Cannes Film Festival (Directors’ Fortnight)

Official Selection – New York Film Festival

Official Selection – AFI Fest

 

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