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Iron Island

Play trailer Poster for Iron Island 2005 1h 30m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
A slowly sinking ship stuck in the Persian Gulf has become a pseudo-community to homeless Iranian squatters. This metal metropolis is run by Capt. Nemat (Ali Nassirian), a firm but loving leader who does everything from play Cupid to supervise the residents' search for salable scrap metal. The only person in this town not to obey the captain's every command is Ahmad (Hossein Farzi-Zadeh), a rebellious youngster who pines for a pretty girl (Neda Pakdaman) with an overprotective father.
Iron Island

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A visually creative yet grounded film from Iran, Iron Island is a political allegory that packs a punch.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 07/13/2022
A fascinating allegory of modern-day Iran. Go to Full Review Wesley Morris Boston Globe 08/25/2006
3/4
Like the great Iranian filmmakers, Rasoulof has no use for the artificiality of heightened drama. He opts, instead, for a more universal humanism, which is a better teaching tool. Go to Full Review Deborah Young Variety 07/21/2006
A galloping fable full of offbeat characters and entertaining moments. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 09/12/2020
2.5/4.0
The film is most effective in examining the resilience of the human spirit even as one's ship is sinking. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 05/04/2010
B
Visually pleasing in its mythic images, and it's heartfelt narrative is both stirring and poetic. Go to Full Review Rex Roberts Film Journal International 02/22/2007
This resonant fable proves again that art flourishes in unlikely places, under the most restrictive conditions. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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04/10/2012 Amazing piece of Iranian cinema which really delves into the issues of isolationism in a world in which such issues are gaining salience. See more 07/01/2010 "La Vie sur l'Eau" (2005) de Mohammad Rasoulof (Iran) Premier film du "Zoom Géographique" consacré par le Festival Résistances 2010 à la cinématographie de l'Iran ! projeté le samedi 10 juillet 2010 vers 18h15 dans la grande salle de l'Estive à Foix ! See more 01/24/2010 social, drama, iranian See more 08/29/2008 Captivating movie that pulls you in. Not only as an insight into Iranian lifestylels, but when you talk into account that it's an allegory Iran as a country, it really makes you pay attention. See more 04/15/2008 Holy Holy Holy! The captain can do know wrong! See more 11/25/2007 Todella vahvasti merkityksellinen ja vertauskuvallinen tarina. minulle eksoottinen kosketus Iranilaiseen kulttuuriin. See more Read all reviews
Iron Island

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Mohammad Rasoulof

Director

Ali Nassirian

Captain Nemat

Hossein Farzi-Zadeh

Ahmad

Neda Pakdaman

The Girl

Mohammad Rasoulof

Writer

Mohammad Rasoulof

Producer

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Iron Island

Iron Island (2005) A scene from the film "Iron Island." A scene from the film "Iron Island." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A slowly sinking ship stuck in the Persian Gulf has become a pseudo-community to homeless Iranian squatters. This metal metropolis is run by Capt. Nemat (Ali Nassirian), a firm but loving leader who does everything from play Cupid to supervise the residents' search for salable scrap metal. The only person in this town not to obey the captain's every command is Ahmad (Hossein Farzi-Zadeh), a rebellious youngster who pines for a pretty girl (Neda Pakdaman) with an overprotective father.
Director
Mohammad Rasoulof
Producer
Mohammad Rasoulof, Abolhassan Davudi
Screenwriter
Mohammad Rasoulof
Production Co
Farabi Cinema Foundation, Mohammad Rasoulof
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Persian
Release Date (Streaming)
May 9, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$23.1K
Runtime
1h 30m