You may feel like you know where this familiar trope is going: a gay boy loves a straight boy who loves… his sister. It is that last part which makes this film special, as the performance of Banafshe Hourmazdi is truly spectacular. Her relationships with her brother Aimon (Eidin Jalali) who may have some same-sex tendencies, and with her very out friend Parvis (Benny Radjaipour) are beautifully rendered. And the sexual tension between the very different men is very well played and explored in tiny, telling steps.
The film moves quickly from late night outings to bars and clubs and walks in the beautiful countryside. It is playful and full of terrific music and texture. My favorite scene found dawn breaking as the three interconnected friends lay on the top level of a parking deck eating candy, reveling in the love that bonds them.
Like many of the current works about refugees in Europe, the politics and history of the regions involved are a bit muddy to me. We know Parvis works at a shelter where he meets the siblings. There is no shortage of and fun or drama as they attempt to ascertain their refugee status.
Don’t let the politics keep you away. Faraz Shariat directs his screenplay written with Paulina Lorenz
It is important that TLA continues to expand its collection of foreign film, and NO HARD FEELINGS can also be seen on Dekkoo streaming.