“Leila’s Brothers” is a 2022 Iranian drama film directed, written, and co-produced by Saeed Roustayi. The film stars Taraneh Alidoosti, Navid Mohammadzadeh, Saeed Poursamimi, and Payman Maadi. The film was selected to compete for the Palme d’Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
The plot revolves around Leila, who at 40 years old, has spent her whole life taking care of her parents and her four brothers. The family argues constantly and is seemingly crushed by debts, caught in a country with a huge economic crisis and unbelievable inflations as a result of the US economic sanctions on the country. As her brothers are trying to make ends meet, Leila formulates a plan: to start a family business that would save them from poverty. However, inflation and rising prices crush their plans making it near impossible to get enough money for the coins or to be able to buy them back leaving them ever closer to financial ruin.
The film was well-received and won the FIPRESCI Prize at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. It was praised for its fierce performances, a huge set-piece wedding scene, and touches of Visconti’s Rocco and His Brothers and Coppola’s The Godfather. There’s even some Arthur Miller amid the angry, painful recrimination.