SILVER

[MOTSTÅNDAREN]
Fearing persecution, closeted wrester Iman (Payman Maadi, A SEPARATION) has fled his native Iran for snowy northern Sweden. Accompanied by his duty-bound wife (Marall Nasiri) and two daughters, they get bounced between refugee housing while hoping to be granted asylum. As a last resort, Iman decides to join the national wrestling team, hoping that it will grant them a special sportsman residence. To the dismay of his wife, he relishes the chance to get back on the mat, quickly striking up a friendship with his handsome teammate Thomas (Björn Elgerd). As the family's chances to stay in Sweden start to look grim, tensions rise as Iman struggles to honor both his family and his desires. Exploring the harsh realities of being a refugee in Sweden, filmmaker Milad Alami's razor-sharp social drama features a blistering performance by Maadi as a man undone by society's expectations. Official Selection, 2023 Berlin and Seattle film festivals. DIR/SCR Milad Alami; PROD Annika Rogell. Sweden/Norway, 2023, color, 119 min. In Swedish and Persian with English subtitles. NOT RATED

No AFI Member passes accepted.