Critical Zone /

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Critical Zone is a bold and haunting drama, written and directed by Ali Ahmadzadeh. Shot in secret and without official permission from the Iranian authorities, this Iranian-German co-production takes viewers into the heart of Tehran’s underworld. The film was awarded the Golden Leopard at the 76th Locarno Film Festival, though Ahmadzadeh was barred from attending the premiere—another reminder of the risks artists still face in Iran.

My experience

Beyond acting, Critical Zone marked my first experience as a casting director—a new challenge that pushed me into unfamiliar, yet deeply rewarding territory. It was a journey of trust, collaboration, and quiet defianc

Synopsis

Amir leads a solitary life. With only his dog by his side, he roams Tehran in his car, dealing drugs and offering a strange kind of salvation to those in need—like a prophet drifting through a city without hope. Guided only by his GPS and numbed by narcotics, Amir’s path seems aimless. But in the fog of detachment, something begins to awaken—a quiet resistance, fragile but real.

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