Shayda

PG-13

Now Playing

1 hr. 57 min.

Drama

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for Shayda: Trailer 1

List

96%

83 Reviews

Tomatometer

69%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

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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

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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

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Noora Niasari

Director

Zar Amir-Ebrahimi

Shayda

Mojean Aria

Farhad

Leah Purcell

Joyce

Jillian Nguyen

Vi

Osamah Sami

Hossein

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Shayda: Trailer 1

2:15

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Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

It’s an understated performance in many ways, but in those quiet moments, whether it be a new haircut or a tapping foot, Ebrahimi provides an astonishing education of what it means to be a woman fleeing an abusive relationship.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 25, 2024

Full Review

Odie Henderson

Boston Globe

The threat of violence is ever-present, but unlike in most films of this type, Niasari doesn't make that the primary focus. The narrative emphasizes Shayda's newfound independence.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 15, 2024

Full Review

Ty Burr

Washington Post

Made with a striking sensitivity to mood and moment, “Shayda” marks a strong debut for Iranian Australian writer-director Noora Niasari, who mines her own experience and that of her mother for a gripping yet tender suspense drama.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 6, 2024

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Edwin Arnaudin

Asheville Movies

An important story with a powerful lead performance, but dry as a bone.

Rated: B-

Apr 5, 2024

Full Review

Ray Gill Jr.

Willamette Week

Unflinching in its portrayal of battle lines defined by gender and tradition, Shayda refuses to force-feed a message to its audience, confronting you with a harsh reality that’s already staring you in the face.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 3, 2024

Full Review

Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

This searing drama about an Iranian woman trying to protect herself and her daughter from an abusive husband in 1990s Australia rings overly familiar notes.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 3, 2024

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Cate Blanchett, Coco Francini, Caitlin Gold, Naomi McDougall Jones, Nivedita Kulkarni, Lindsay Lanzillotta, Lois Scott, Andrew Upton, Mark Woods
Screenwriter: Noora Niasari
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: The 51 Fund, Dirty Films, Screen Australia, HanWay Films
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material|Domestic Abuse|Some Violence|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Persian
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 1, 2023, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $59.0K
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital