The debut feature from Jafar Panahi’s son Panah, which premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2021, is a chaotic, tender road trip set against a rugged landscape.

A family heads out on a trip, but where they’re going is uncertain. Their destination is not the only thing mysterious: dad may or may not have a broken leg, mum is holding back inexplicable tears, their youngest keeps breaking into choreographed car karaoke, and everyone is fussing over a sick dog when they’re not busy pushing one another over the edge. And why has their older son stayed so silent?

Co-produced by the iconoclastic and widely venerated elder Panahi (3 Faces, MIFF 2018; Tehran Taxi, MIFF 2015), this directorial debut is an accomplished drama with more than a touch of dad’s trademark humanity, following an oddball family as they careen across terrain that is bumpy both physically and emotionally. Having premiered at the prestigious Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2021 and subsequently screened at festivals the world over – including the BFI London Film Festival, where it was crowned Best Film – Hit the Road heralds a major new talent from one of Iran’s foremost filmmaking families.

“Crackling with energy and outbreaks of exuberant lip syncing, riotously funny at times and quietly devastating at others.” – Screen Daily