Shayda

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2:15

Shayda

PG-13

Released Dec 1, 2023

1h 57m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

95 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

SHAYDA, a brave Iranian mother, finds refuge in an Australian women's shelter with her six-year-old daughter. Over Persian New Year, they take solace in Nowruz rituals and new beginnings, but when her estranged husband re-enters their lives, Shayda's path to freedom is jeopardized.

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Critics Consensus

An understated yet impactful story of female empowerment, Shayda establishes first-time feature filmmaker Noora Niasari as a remarkably assured talent.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Niasari, who writes and produces as well as directing, racks up the tension ... in this sure-footed debut feature.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 8, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

The assured directorial debut of Noora Niasari, Shayda captures the claustrophobic tension and sickening dread of a wife trying and failing to evade the reach of a violent, angry man.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 22, 2024

Full Review

Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

This debut fiction feature from the Australian-Iranian documentary director Noora Niasari proves a worthy vehicle for the incendiary talents of Zar Amir Ebrahimi.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 19, 2024

Full Review

William Stottor

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

Noora Niasari drew on her own childhood when writing her debut feature, Shayda, and her understated film has that quality that autobiographical films need in order to shine: specificity.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 3, 2024

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Chris Wasser

Sunday Independent (Ireland)

A quiet, thoughtful feature, it handles such difficult themes with delicacy and confidence, and our mum and child leads are terrific together.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 8, 2024

Full Review

Abe Friedtanzer

Film Factual

Niasari has made a deeply personal film that remarkably captures its protagonist’s harrowing journey and pays tribute to all victims of abuse who are able to take a daring stand.

Rated: B+

Jul 23, 2024

Full Review

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Paul D

Tries to be gritty but ultimately its parochialism and assumptions dates the film and detaches it from many of the current political realities of the world it inhabits.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

Full Review

Irwin F

I don't think I am the target audience. Didn't find it interesting.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/24

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Di Z

A quiet movie with a loud mission.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/03/24

Full Review

Amin B

In my perspective, Shayda bears resemblance to an Iranian version of "Not Without My Daughter," albeit with a milder tone, emphasizing the universal challenge of domestic violence. The film suffered from a basic and unprepared script. However, the film's strengths can be found in its direction and certain performances, though there were instances of amateur acting. The cinematography, while basic, contributes to the overall technical insignificance of the movie.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/29/24

Full Review

Roy J

The little girl's performance is the best I've seen all year. Felt like I was watching a documentary because of how real the performance and relationship were of the mother and her child. At the end, you find out the director based this on real experience. Heartbreaking but important viewing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/06/23

Full Review

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Shayda: Trailer 1

2:15

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Synopsis

SHAYDA, a brave Iranian mother, finds refuge in an Australian women's shelter with her six-year-old daughter. Over Persian New Year, they take solace in Nowruz rituals and new beginnings, but when her estranged husband re-enters their lives, Shayda's path to freedom is jeopardized.

Director: Noora Niasari
Producer: Noora Niasari, Vincent Sheehan
Screenwriter: Noora Niasari
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: The 51 Fund, HanWay Films, Dirty Films, Screen Australia
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Language|Domestic Abuse|Thematic Material)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Persian
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 1, 2023, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $61.7K
Runtime: 1h 57m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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