Renowned film critic and programmer Andreas Ungerbock has published an in-depth review of Hesam Farahmand’s debut feature “My Daughter’s Hair” (Raha) on Asian Movie Pulse, following the film’s accolades at Rome’s Alice nella Città and the Fajr Film Festival.

A Story Deeply Rooted in Iranian Cinema

Ungerbock hailed the production as an engaging moral drama that echoes the finest storytelling traditions of Iranian cinema, noting how naturally its compelling narrative develops from daily hardships into a gripping dramatic dilemma.

Praise for Shahab Hosseini’s Powerful Performance

A key focus of the review was the commanding lead performance delivered by Shahab Hosseini, as Ungerbock remarked:

“When one thinks of Asghar Farhadi, it’s also largely due to the lead actor of ‘My Daughter’s Hair’: Shahab Hosseini, who delivers a magnificent performance as the desperate father… The rest of the cast is equally compelling, with Zoha Esmailifar as Raha and Ghazal Shakeri delivering remarkable, standout turns.”

Neo-Realism Meets Modern Suspense

The review commended Farahmand’s direction for blending quasi-neorealist elements—reminiscent of Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves—with the suspense of a melodramatic noir. Bolstered by Rouzbeh Raiga’s intimate cinematography and Fardin Khalatbari’s subtle score, the film stands out as an exceptional addition to global festivals and arthouse cinema.