UNDER THE SKIN OF THE CITY
aka ZIR-E POOST-E SHAHR

Year: 2001
USA: Magnolia Pictures
Cast: Golab Adineh, Mohammad Reza Foroutan, Baran Kowsari, Ebraheem Sheibani, Mohsen Ghazi Moradi, Mahraveh Sharifi-Nia, Homeira Riazi, Ali Ossivand, Mehrdad Falahatgar, Mariam Boubani, Nazanin Farahani
Director: Rakhshan Bani Etemad
Country: Iran
Language: Farsi (English subtitles)
USA: 92 mins
USA Release Date: 14 March 2003 (Limited Release - Los Angeles and New York)
US Distributor

Synopsis

UNDER THE SKIN OF THE CITY marks the first U.S. release of a film by Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, one of Iran's most acclaimed filmmakers, and widely regarded as the First Lady of Iranian Cinema.

Providing a bracingly fresh and provocative vision of Iranian urban society, the film deals with Tuba (Golab Adineh), a mother of four, who is faced with unexpected challenges that threaten her family and way of life. Oldest son Abbas (Mohammad Reza Foroutan) works to obtain a foreign work visa, which he hopes will allow him the opportunity to better his family's lot and win the hand of a pretty office girl. To make his final payment, he sells the family home, but when his travel plans fall apart, Tuba is forced to take drastic measures to save her house and her son.