Cast Aside the Clouds
[Showtimes and trailer at Tropiccinema.com]

Mary Darling directs a tale of star crossed lovers in “Cast Aside the Clouds.” The story is impactful and romantic if a bit predictable around the edges. The film is anchored by solid performances and engaging leads who clearly portray a refreshing sensitivity and spirit. 

In present day Tehran, a Baha’i daughter Layla (Parmiss Sehat) works with her father Farhad (Anthony Azizi) in his bookstore. In one percussive instant, a rock is thrown through the window by Islamic militants, and she is rushed to the hospital.

Layla befriends a young boy with seizures. A young doctor Sasan (Behtash Fazlali) observes Layla’s warmth in engaging with the boy and becomes smitten by her gentle manner and her sly wit.

They agree to date but Sasan lets out that Layla is Baha’i, not Muslim to his mother. Sasan’s father (Javad Djavahery) is livid. Sasan’s former girlfriend, (Tara Tedjarati) a nurse, cattily informs Layla that Sasan is transferring to a hospital in Germany, igniting a betrayal in the burgeoning relationship. 

After a warm meeting between Sasan and Layla’s father, Layla is encouraged to meet Sasan’s father. The meeting turns upsetting and spirals into persecution and intense violence.

Sehat’s Layla is a vision with winding black hair: empathetic, glib and voluptuous while Fazlali’s Sasan resembles an earthly and authentic Prince Charming— patient and kind. 

While the romantic elements somewhat remain in the fairy tale realm, the pathos stays realistic and grounded in a film that well illustrates the coldly harsh and often jarring bloodshed against the Baha’i faith in Iran.

According to research, since 2022, militarized Iranian agents have raided and confiscated dozens of Baha’i properties and arrested at least 30 members of the Baha’i community on account of their faith in various cities throughout Iran.

With a sweet romantic flourish, the film is an able testament to the tensions in the Islamic community remaining in iron clad opposition against more flexible faiths. The story is also a finely drawn romance and a terrestrial humanist Disney story in the mode of Romeo and Juliet.

Write Ian at ianfree1@icloud.com

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