Abdolreza Kahani’s latest film, Empty Heaven, has received a five-star review from The Herald Scotland following its World Premiere at the 2026 Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF).
The Scottish publication praised the film as a distinctive and accomplished work, highlighting its carefully controlled storytelling, visual style, performances, and the dry humour that runs through its dramatic narrative.
Set in Canada, Empty Heaven follows a lonely Iranian dissident whose life takes an unexpected turn when he becomes entangled with a local criminal mob. What begins as an unusual encounter gradually develops into a series of increasingly complex events.
The film combines elements of drama and thriller with Kahani’s characteristic understated humour. Against the cold Canadian landscape, the story explores isolation, displacement and human relationships while maintaining a restrained and distinctive cinematic style.
The 87-minute Persian-language Canadian production had its World Premiere in the Out of Competition section of the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2026.
Kahani returned to Edinburgh following the success of his previous film, Mortician, which won the Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence at EIFF 2025.
The five-star review from The Herald Scotland adds to the international attention surrounding Empty Heaven following its Edinburgh premiere.
Source: The Herald Scotland
Review: Empty Heaven – Edinburgh International Film Festival
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