Hailed by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, as "one of the best Iranian films of recent years," Before the Burial is a mysterious psychological drama about love and forgiveness. Alternating dream-like scenes in a snowy, fog-shrouded landscape with episodes set in the familiar urban chaos of Tehran, the film explores the last days of bus driver Samiak. As he approaches his fortieth birthday, Samiak sets out to even the score with those who arranged his expulsion from medical school and sent him to jail for his political views. But his resolve is shaken when he meets a smiling sprite of a young woman who claims to be a princess from a far-off island. Director Behnam Behzadi co-wrote the beguiling road movie Half Moon, shown in 2007 as part of Iranian Film Today.

(2008, 104 minutes.)
In Persian with subtitles.

Generous support of the High's international film series is provided by the Woodruff Arts Center Celebrates Diversity Initiative through the generous support of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.