Rediscovering the Iranian New Wave
at the Barbican

I spent most of this rainy January catching a few curated screenings at the Barbican titled “Masterpieces of the Iranian New Wave" the first time cinephiles have been given an opportunity to watch pre-revolution Iranian cinema, restored to its old glory by the generosity of Martin Scorsese and curated by Ehsan Khoshbakht

What makes these screenings particularly valuable is seeing how these filmmakers worked within their limitations. Often operating with minimal resources, they turned constraints into creative advantages – employing non-professional actors, blending documentary and fiction techniques, and finding poetry in rural settings and everyday life.

These were the cornerstones laid down to build the Iranian cinema we know of today, telling stories under strict scrutiny post the revolution. 

The technical approaches and thematic threads established during this period created a cinematic language that would gain Iranian stories international recognition in subsequent decades.

The Barbican has assembled a thoughtfully curated program that balances recognized classics with lesser-known works deserving wider appreciation. Film enthusiasts have until March 20th 2025 to catch these screenings

Here are some of the films I watched.


Chess of the Wind (1976) | Mohammad Reza Aslani


Crown Jewels of Iran (1965) | Ebrahim Golestan


Waiting (Entezar) (1974) | Amir Naderi


Waiting (Entezar) (1973) | Abbas Kiarostami


Far From Home (1975) | Sohrab Shahid Saless


The Stranger And The Fog (1974) | Bahram Beyzaie