Ziba Sedayam Kon

It’s Ziba’s birthday… For a teenage, student working girl, living in a dormitory, with no bonds to her parents, it is a dream to move to a room of her own. She’s struggling to find a path to be independent, but everything becomes even more complicated when her dad, Khosro, shows up. He has escaped from a psychiatric hospital to celebrate the special day with his daughter…

---

خسرو که در آسایشگاه روانی به اجبار بستری‌ست، تمام این سال‌ها را در فکر دخترش زیبا سپری کرده. امروز، روز تولد 16 سالگی زیبا است و خسرو نمی‌خواهد از این روز ساده بگذرد…

Introduction & Premise

Iranian cinema has long excelled at deeply human, emotionally resonant storytelling, and veteran filmmaker Rasoul Sadrameli’s latest feature, Ziba Sedayam Kon (released internationally as Call Me Ziba), is a poignant addition to this tradition. Arriving on January 24, 2025, the film explores the fragile boundaries of familial love, trauma, and independence through the lens of a young girl on the cusp of adulthood. Blending sensitive social realism with psychological tension, Sadrameli crafts a narrative that is both culturally specific and universally relatable.

Plot & Themes (Spoiler-Free)

The story unfolds on Ziba’s sixteenth birthday. For Ziba—a hardworking teenage student living in a dormitory with virtually no connection to her parents—life is a daily endurance test. Her ultimate dream is modest yet elusive: to secure a room of her own and achieve true independence. However, her precarious routine is upended when her father, Khosro, suddenly reappears in her life. Having escaped from a psychiatric hospital, Khosro is determined to celebrate his daughter’s milestone birthday against all odds. What begins as a desperate, impulsive reunion evolves into a tense emotional journey, touching upon themes of abandonment, mental health stigmatization, and the longing for domestic sanctuary.

Creative Vision & Direction

Rasoul Sadrameli, a master chronicler of youth and societal pressures in Iranian cinema, directs with a steady, empathetic hand. Instead of turning the father’s escape into a sensationalized thriller, Sadrameli anchors the narrative in quiet, character-driven moments. The cinematography contrasts the claustrophobia of institutional walls with the harsh, bustling reality of Tehran’s streets, capturing Ziba’s exhausting struggle to carve out a safe space in an indifferent world.

Performances & Cast Highlights

The emotional gravity of Ziba Sedayam Kon rests heavily on its stellar ensemble cast, featuring some of Iran’s most versatile talents:

• Juliette Rezai delivers a breakthrough, understated performance as Ziba, portraying her exhaustion and quiet resilience with remarkable maturity.
• Amin Hayaei brings complex vulnerability and frantic energy to the role of Khosro, balancing erratic impulses with a heartbreaking paternal devotion.
• Mehran Ghafourian and Setareh Pesyani round out the cast with compelling supporting turns that enrich the socio-cultural tapestry of Ziba’s world.

Production Background

Produced within the rigorous yet vibrant landscape of contemporary Iranian independent cinema, Ziba Sedayam Kon reflects Sadrameli’s lifelong dedication to exploring the psychological vulnerabilities of the younger generation. The film’s meticulous sound design and naturalistic production design mirror the isolation and raw realities faced by working-class youth navigating modern urban spaces.

Why It’s Worth Watching / Critical Reception

For cinephiles and followers of Middle Eastern cinema, Ziba Sedayam Kon is a must-watch entry of 2025. It avoids easy moralizing, choosing instead to examine the grey areas where mental illness and parental love intersect. By highlighting the resilience of a young teenage girl fighting for autonomy, Sadrameli delivers a cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Whether you are discovering the nuances of Iranian drama or following the acclaimed careers of its lead cast, this film offers a deeply affecting journey well worth your time.

• 2024