Jafar Najafi

Amir is a fourteen-year-old boy who lives in a village. After the death of his father, he is in charge of his mother and his twelve-year-old twin sisters, Marzieh and Razieh. The two girls receive most of his attention, especially when he attempts to help them break free from the shackles of tradition.

Asho knows not only how to deal with goats, he also knows about films. He tries to see at least one a day. His favourite director is Tim Burton. Always on the road (Asho means "eagle"), the Iranian shepherd's son dreams of being an actor. By his side: his cousin and future wife Pari. Pari thinks that if Asho becomes a star, then so should she. But they both have been for a long time: This is their behind-the-scenes.

Mina, determined to realize her dreams, not only refuses to succumb to her husband and mother-in-law’s fierce opposition, but also paves her own path and pushes forward along it. Gradually, it looks as if the people and world around her are starting to change . . . .

Parmis is a bookish teenager who lives in the rural hills of Koorang among the salt marshes. She is a sought-after young bride who tries to shake off unsuitable mates by asking her suitors to read the books that she loves. She quizzes them about the books and bates everyone along so that she can escape the burdens of a premature marriage so that she can pursue her big dream, winning the Nobel Prize in literature.