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Maryam

Play trailer Poster for Maryam Released Apr 14, 2000 1h 30m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
It's 1979 and Mary (Mariam Parris), an Iranian-American teenager, pursues fun and romance in the New Jersey suburbs. Mary's world is radically transformed, though, when Ali (David Ackert), her fundamentalist Muslim cousin, comes to live with her family at the same time that Americans are taken hostage in Iran. American backlash against Iranians and Ali's disclosure of the family's dark history force Mary to come to terms with her own unique, culturally divided identity.
Maryam

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A well-made coming of age drama elevated by its evocative setting, Maryam marks writer-director Ramin Serry as an emerging talent to watch.

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Critics Reviews

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Lael Loewenstein Variety A lovely, intricate coming-of-age portrait set in a cross-cultural context, "Maryam" reps a promising debut from Ramin Serry. Mar 27, 2009 Full Review Desson Thomson Washington Post High on melodrama. But it's emotionally engrossing, too, thanks to strong, credible performances from the whole cast. Jul 26, 2002 Full Review Chicago Tribune A searing reminder of the relevance of recent history and of the timeless power of fiction to humanize people and crystallize sweeping events into personal drama. Rated: 3/4 Jul 20, 2002 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 4.5/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Nick Davis Nick's Flick Picks Smarter in its message than its execution, this is still a thought-provoking rental. Rated: 3/5 Sep 16, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Aug 12, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Penetrating drama about an Iranian-American girl in the late 70's that raises questions and invites contemplation with the movie's release just months after 9/11. Great overlooked drama. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member A movie revealing the public hatred and bigotry during the time of the Iran kidnapping of Americans in 1979. Maryam is a young school girl who was born (with her parents) in Iran. Her father came to America to earn better money in his medical job. An orphaned cousin arrives from Iran who will stay with them and attend a local university. The clash of cultures causes problems between him and Maryam's family. He's more Iranian than American...she's more American than Iranian. Maryam's car is vandalized ("camel jockeys go home"). Neighbors turn against neighbors. America becomes a fearful place for Iranian immigrants (and anyone who fits the "profile"). A timely movie that fits today's social problems and holds a mirror up to America to show her the ugly side of bigotry, fear and hatred of those who are "different". Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Carefully crafted, notably in its deft dramatic structuring, and has become timely in a way its maker could never have anticipated. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member (*** 1/2): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Maryam

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Cast & Crew

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Ramin Serry

Director

Mariam Parris

Maryam 'Mary' Armin

David Ackert

Ali Armin

Shaun Toub

Dr. Darius Armin

Shohreh Aghdashloo

Mrs. Homa Armin

Maz Jobrani

Maz Jobrani

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Maryam

David Ackert (center). Victor Jory and Mariam Parris. Mariam Parris. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis It's 1979 and Mary (Mariam Parris), an Iranian-American teenager, pursues fun and romance in the New Jersey suburbs. Mary's world is radically transformed, though, when Ali (David Ackert), her fundamentalist Muslim cousin, comes to live with her family at the same time that Americans are taken hostage in Iran. American backlash against Iranians and Ali's disclosure of the family's dark history force Mary to come to terms with her own unique, culturally divided identity.
Director
Ramin Serry
Producer
Shauna Lyon
Distributor
Trimark Pictures, Streetlight Films
Production Co
Streetlight Films, Centre Street Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 14, 2000, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 13, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$104.2K
Runtime
1h 30m