Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, Karlovy Vary 2009

The culture and day-to-day reality of Iran is prominently displayed for us in this interesting and contemporary film. The emotional capacity of the characters and how they accept and handle their reality is admirable.
The setting takes place within a small cafeteriaregularly used for mourning receptions. As the characters show their human strength in coping with the challenge of  being deprived of the work they cherish, they illuminate the capacity of the human spirit to navigate difficult circumstances with courage, love, and hope.
The women in this film - as mothers, as wives, and as children - are especially presented with kindness and with an abundance of human strength.