Leyla's Siblings (Film)

Leyla’s Siblings centers on 40-year-old Leyla’s struggle to hold her family together. Throughout her life, mother and caring for her father and four adult brothers have been the only thing she has been able to pursue. To rescue her family from the economic impasse they have fallen into, Leyla devises a plan. However, her father Ismail, disregarding the future of his family, is obsessed with becoming the "tribal chief" within a traditional hierarchical order. Film examines this intergenerational conflict and the personal sacrifices it demands.

Leyla’s father and brother. (Source)

Cast

• Taraneh Alidoosti – Leyla
• Saeed Poursamimi – Ismail
• Navid Mohammadzadeh – Aliriza
• Payman Maadi – Farhad
• Farhad Aslani – Manouçer
• Mohammad Ali Mohammadi – Parviz

(Film cast, Beyazperde)

Themes

Patriarchy and the Woman’s Place in Society

The film explores the patriarchal structure in Iranian society and the pressure it exerts on women. While Leyla fights to keep her family afloat in a world controlled by men, her father Ismail embodies the traditional male dominance represented by like characters. Even Leyla’s mother is never named in the film, a detail that situation underscores the erasure of women’s identity in society.

Economic Crisis and Social Transformation

The film draws attention to the U.S. embargo on Iran and its people impact. As Leyla and her brothers struggle to survive amid economic hardship, their father chases status symbols. This theme critiques a system that disregards the living conditions of individuals and families.

(Promotion of the Film Leyla's Siblings, YouTube)

Intergenerational Conflict

The film portrays a family caught between tradition and modernity, sharply highlighting the thought differences between the old and new generations. Ismail’s desire to claim a traditional title without considering his family’s future lays bare the deadlock between generations.

Family Bonds and Individuality

Leyla, portrayed as a character striving to keep her family united, represents the tension between personal aspirations and familial obligations. This dynamic offers a universal narrative of individuals trapped between living their own lives and fulfilling duties to their families.

(Taraneh Alidoosti-Leyla, Beyazperde)

Cinematic Elements

Roustayi maintains a tense atmosphere throughout the film, drawing viewers into the characters’ inner worlds. Scenes juxtaposing poverty and wealth vividly highlight Iran’s economic and social stratification. The use of locations such as shopping malls and lavish weddings emphasizes the deep chasm between riches and destitution.

(Saeed Roustayi, Mubi)

Director and Life

Saeed Roustayi, born on 14 August 1989 in Tehran, is an Iranian film director and screenwriter. A graduate of the Film and Television department at Soore University, Roustayi began his cinematic career with numerous short short films and documentaries. His first major work, Life+1 Day, won the Simurg Award for Best director and Best screenplay at the Fajr International Film Festival. He expanded his international reputation with the film 6.5 Metre. His 2022 film Leyla’s Siblings was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and won the FIPRESCI Prize. Roustayi’s cinematic language is characterized by a profound engagement with social injustice, economic crises, and the position of women in Iranian society.

Leyla’s Siblings emerges as a deeply layered film that weaves together familial values, individual struggles, and societal pressures. Saeed Roustayi’s masterful storytelling offers incisive observations on social injustice while successfully conveying a universal narrative. Its success at the Cannes Film Festival and the positive reception from international critics have cemented its place as a compelling example of modern Iranian cinema.