Award-winning Iranian-Canadian feature film MORTICIAN, directed by Abdolreza Kahani, has received new recognition from the U.S.-based entertainment publication The Hollywood Times following its opening-night screening at the 34th UCLA Celebration of Iranian Cinema.
In an extensive review by journalist Robert St. Martin, The Hollywood Times describes MORTICIAN as a powerful exploration of exile, identity, and the lasting impact of political repression on Iranians living outside their homeland. The article focuses on the film’s central characters, Mojtaba and Jana, two Iranian exiles whose lives intersect in Canada while carrying different experiences of displacement, loss, and resistance.
The review notes that while the film addresses political realities affecting the Iranian diaspora, its greatest strength lies in its humanity. St. Martin highlights the evolving relationship between the two protagonists, emphasizing the film’s balance of dark humor, emotional depth, and social commentary.
The article also draws attention to Kahani’s distinctive filmmaking approach and the intimate visual style of the production, which was shot entirely on an iPhone. According to the review, the film’s surprising conclusion reinforces one of its central themes: the difficulty of escaping the far-reaching consequences of authoritarian power, even from thousands of miles away.
The Hollywood Times further acknowledges the film’s growing international profile, including its victory at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, where MORTICIAN received the prestigious Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence.
Following the UCLA screening, a live Zoom discussion was held with director Abdolreza Kahani and lead actress and musician Golazin Ardestani (Gola), whose performance as Jana was highlighted in the article. The discussion touched on artistic freedom, exile, and the experiences that inspired the film.
The Hollywood Times review positions MORTICIAN not only as a story about Iranian expatriates, but also as a broader reflection on belonging, resilience, and the enduring human consequences of political oppression.
