For these Iranian filmmakers, the road to Sundance was long and risky : NPR

A movie filmed in Iran under challenging circumstances won a prestigious award at the Sundance Film Festival. Despite facing obstacles like war and protests, the filmmakers managed to complete The Friend’s House is Here in time for its premiere.

The film, set in the aftermath of the Iran-Israel conflict, showcases the lively underground culture of Tehran. Despite government crackdowns, underground concerts, art exhibitions, avant-garde theater shows, and parties continue to thrive. These spaces serve as havens where artists can express themselves freely.

The narrative, entirely in Persian, follows two roommates who are deeply involved in the underground art scene. Similar to the actresses portraying them, one is part of an underground theater group while the other creates social media content by dancing in front of historical landmarks, a practice prohibited by Iranian law.

When confronted by a woman on the street for not wearing hijabs, Pari and Hana respond with laughter. They, along with their artistic circle, refuse to be silenced by the government, even as authorities intensify their crackdown.