PREVIEW: About Elly (12A)

Playing at The Cinema at Gloucester Guildhall this month is About Elly, the latest film from renowned Iranian writer/director Asghar Farhadi famously responsible for last year's Best Foreign Language Film Oscar winner, A Separation. 

Providing a very revealing look into how the Iranian middle class operate, the film presents us with a scenario into how one simple lie can open up a Pandora's box of emotions. In the wake of his failed marriage in Germany, Ahmad (Shahab Hosseini) returns to Tehran. With the holidays approaching, Ahmad's friend Sepideh (Golshifteh Farahani) organizes a weekend getaway to the Caspian Sea with a group of old college friends. But one member of the group sticks out like a sore thumb: she's a pretty kindergarten teacher named Elly (Taraneh Alidousti), and Sepideh thought she would be a perfect match for Ahmad. In order to rent a spacious beach house for the group to share, Sepideh told the elderly landlady that Ahmad and Elly were newlyweds. But the truth is Elly has never even met Ahmad, and she doesn't share a close bond with the rest of the friends. Strangely enough, on the very first night of the trip Elly naturally endears herself to the tight-knit group. The following day, however, Elly vanishes without a trace, sparking a frantic search that sours the festivities, and revealing the casual deceits that are shared amongst friends.  

Critics are calling About Elly:

"A fascinating psychological drama"

Peter Bradshaw- The Guardian

"Superbly acted, morally challenging, packed with legitimate suspense...this is film making of the highest order"

Phillip French- Observer

"A remarkable film that deserves as much acclaim as Fahardi's award winner"

Phillip Concannon- Little White Lies

Check out the trailer below:

About Elly (12A) is screening on Tuesday 9th October at 2pm & 7.45pm, Wednesday 10th at 7.45pm and Thursday 11th at 7.45pm