A controversial drama that was banned in its home country of Iran

From Massoud Kimiayi, one of the few active filmmakers from Iran’s pre-revolutionary era, comes this controversial drama about the personal effect of the country’s social reforms on one man. Amir serves 12 years in prison for killing the unfaithful fiancée of his brother—an act he considered necessary to restore his family’s honor. In jail, he is treated like a hero, but, upon his release, he finds that his country has changed. Amir is now considered barbaric. Authorities yanked THE PROTEST from the big screen after only one month, revealing that this topic is not only timely, but still a sensitive issue in Iran.

“Long time screen presence Arjmand builds a subtle portrait of an alienated,
prematurely old man….”
– Robert Koehler, VARIETY

Written and directed by Massoud Kimiayi. With Dariush
Arjmand, Bita Farrahi, Mohammad Reza Forootan, Mitra Hajjar, Mehdi Fathi, and Poulad Kimiayi. Cinematography by Asghar Rafi’ie Jam. Edited by Mohammad Reza Mouyini. Produced by Seyyed Zia Hashemi for Iran Film Society and NEJ Pictures.
Iran/2000/Color/Fullscreen/102 mins. In Persian with English subtitles.
Special Features: Director’s Biography; Photo Gallery