The Circle
aka Dayereh
First screened in January 2002 / Most recently screened in October 2025

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Director: Jafar Panahi. Cast: Nargess Mamazideh, Maryam Palvin Almani, Maemeh Tahmasebi, Fereshteh Sadre Orafaiy, Monir Arab, Elham Saboktakin, Fatemah Naghavi, Mojgan Faramarzi, Ataollah Moghaddasi, Solmaz Panahi. Screenplay: Kambuzia Partovi and Jafar Panahi.

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Photo © 2000 Jafar Panahi Film Productions, © 2001 WinStar Cinema

In Brief: Muscular distillation of multiple vectors of patriarchal oppression, without reducing women to victims. Devastating end.

VOR: ⑤  The bravery of Panahi and his cast and collaborators is hard to overstate. Consummate realist style, even as structure conveys its constructedness.

Grade: A

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Awards:
	Venice Film Festival: Golden Lion (Best Film); FIPRESCI Prize; UNICEF Award; OCIC Award (Honorable Mention)
	National Board of Review: Freedom of Expression Award

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