Hit the Road
A short-tempered father with a broken leg; a boisterous young boy and his older silent brother; a sick dog; and a mother trying to keep the peace. This is a family on a road trip somewhere in Iran. But where are they going and why? As they get closer to their destination, it slowly emerges that this is no normal journey…
This debut from Panah Panahi, son of renowned Iranian director Jafar Panahi, shows a remarkable maturity for a first feature. Gentle humour and vibrant music are deftly used to capture the dynamics, chaos and emotions of these ultimately loving relatives. The result is a rich portrait of one family for whom this road-trip will change their lives forever.
Director: Panah Panahi
Cast: Hassan Madjooni, Pantea Panahiha, Rayan Sarlak, Amin Simiar
Festivals:
Directors’ Fortnight, Cannes Film Festival 2021
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2021
BFI London Film Festival 2021
International Film Festival Rotterdam 2022
Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival 2022
Awards:
Winner - Best Film, BFI London Film Festival 2021
‘Despite its sparky sense of humour, a sharp melancholy underscores this Iranian road movie. Writer-director Panah Panahi (son of auteur Jafar) takes the audience on a trip that feels both boisterously rambunctious and darkly momentous at the same time.’
★★★★ Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
‘An astounding feature debut from Iranian writer-director Panah Panahi, the road trip drama Hit the Road brims with the confidence of a stalwart filmmaker. His dialogue is so sharp you could slice steel with it. The rising tension reaches a beautiful and traumatic apotheosis. The comedic and dramatic timing is impeccable. But what cuts deepest is the warmth of the film’s central family. This is a triumph on every conceivable level, announcing the arrival of a prodigious talent.’
Alex Saveliev, Film Threat