Shahin Gorgani

To Rizoo, 8—who’s recently moved back to Tehran from California—the world is a magical place. But when she must take a class portrait, her world suddenly becomes very complicated. Does she wear the traditional head-scarf, which all girls over the age of 9 must wear—or not? Seemingly everyone has an opinion. We witness Rizoo navigate the challenges of growing up a California girl in modern Iran. She may be small in size, but her spirit is big enough to change the world.

Azar (82), a former actress, learns of the passing of her lover. With the help of a traveling theater troupe, she embarks on a journey to find the woman she was forced to leave because of society’s taboos. Her journey allows her to reflect on her past and her regrets, but instead of death, it brings her life.