Festivals: Outcry (2025) by Soheil Beiraghi: A Resonant Hymn of Defiance

The Power of a Silenced Voice Outcry (Original title: Bidad), directed by Soheil Beiraghi, is a powerful Iranian drama that was produced independently to bypass local censorship. The film centers on Seti, a young woman who, in defiance of her country's laws prohibiting women from singing solo in public, takes her music to the streets. Her act of rebellion goes viral, turning her into an unwilling symbol of resistance for a new generation of Iranians seeking change from political oppression.

Why to Watch This Movie: A Timely and Essential Film

• A Story of Unflinching Resistance: The film is a raw and potent look at contemporary Iran and the struggle for freedom of expression. It’s an unflinching paean to resistance, with a courageous heroine who refuses to be silenced despite facing arrests and humiliation.

• A Daring and Subversive Production: The film itself is a revolutionary act. It was shot secretly without government permission, and festival organizers had to keep its inclusion in competitions under wraps to ensure the safety of the director and his crew.

• Strong Lead Performance: Sarvin Zabetian delivers a "singular, trenchant fury" as Seti, embodying the relentless defiance and pain of a generation. Her performance is described as having a "propulsive energy."

• Unconventional Iranian Cinema: The film stands at a crossroads between traditional Iranian filmmaking and modern, universal drama. It includes elements not typically seen in Iranian cinema, such as a chaste but "smouldering" relationship and a raw, grungy aesthetic.

Where to watch (industry professionals): https://pro.festivalscope.com/films?availableToWatch=all

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37437746/

Link Review: https://www.rogerebert.com/festivals/kviff-2025-bidad-director-soheil-beiraghi-interview

About movie: https://www.plutofilm.de/films/bidad/0098

What Trend Is Followed? Art as Political Protest

Outcry follows the trend of Iranian dissident drama, where filmmakers use their craft to critique the social and political realities of their country. This isn't just a movie about a character's journey; it's an act of political protest in itself, echoing the real-life struggles of artists and activists. The film taps into the spirit of the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement, ignited by the death of Mahsa Amini, making it a timely and essential piece of cinema.

Director's Vision: Guerrilla Filmmaking as a Form of Resistance

• Documenting a Generation: Beiraghi's vision was to create a film that was "as clear and as direct as the story could be told," showing the unfiltered reality of Gen Z in Iran. He wanted to show the world the diverse population and the "non-conformists" who exist underground, opposing the rigid Islamic regime.

• Guerrilla-Style Production: The director's choice to film in secret, particularly on a heavily-surveilled street in Tehran, adds a visceral, "thriller-like" quality to the production. This mirrored the character's own struggle against the system.

• Authentic and Unpolished: The film's "raw and rough around the edges" aesthetic is a deliberate choice, reflecting the unpolished honesty of the story. Beiraghi's uncompromising approach means the film doesn't "play on the extremes," but rather presents a sober and unflinching look at reality.

Themes: Defiance, Identity, and Solidarity

• Freedom of Expression: The central theme is the fight for the basic human right to express oneself. For Seti, this is a literal fight to use her voice. The film argues that silencing a person's voice is to take away their ability to express their very identity.

• Generational Divide: The movie explores the chasm between the older generation, who have often resigned themselves to the rules, and the new generation of young people who use modern technology and global perspectives to challenge the status quo.

• The Power of Collective Action: While Seti begins her protest alone, the film shows how her individual act of defiance inspires others and creates a sense of solidarity among misfits and rebels, demonstrating that change comes from a collective outcry.

Key Success Factors: A Timely and Potent Narrative

• Courageous Storytelling: The film's greatest strength is its timely and courageous narrative. By directly addressing the social and political issues facing young Iranians, it resonates on a deeply emotional and political level.

• Raw Energy and Emotion: The film is described as "fiercely potent" and "bursting with attitude and anger." This raw emotion, along with Sarvin Zabetian's kinetic performance, makes the story feel urgent and immediate.

• The Uncompromising Honesty: The film’s "unpolished diamond" quality and straightforward approach, which avoids extremes and manipulation, is a key factor in its impact.

Awards and Nominations: A Honored Act of Defiance

The film has won 1 award and received 1 nomination, a testament to its powerful message and artistic merit. These accolades are particularly significant given the risks associated with the film's production.

Critics Reception: A Poetic and Potent Anthem

• High on Film: Praises the film as an "unflinching, sobering paean to resistance." The review highlights the "adamant defiance" that gives the film strength and vitality, as well as the "singular, trenchant fury" of Sarvin Zabetian's performance. It also notes how the film creates an anthem for the disobedient.

• Screen Daily: Calls the film "fiercely potent" and "bursting with attitude and anger," despite some "scrappy writing" and abrupt editing. The review commends the film's timely nature, tapping into the spirit of young female defiance and echoing the courage seen in other Iranian films.

• Dennis Schwartz Reviews: Gives the film a B+ grade, calling it a "finely tuned timely and essential film." It praises Beiraghi's "courageous" and "risky revolutionary act" of shooting a film without government permission and highlights how it shows the West the diverse and non-conforming characters who exist in Iran's underground.

Overall Summary: Critics widely laud Outcry for its brave and timely subject matter, powerful lead performance, and raw, uncompromising vision. While some reviews mention minor issues with pacing and writing, the film's overall emotional impact and political significance are universally praised. It is hailed as a vital and important piece of cinema that gives a voice to those who are silenced.

Reviews: A Powerful and Resonant Experience

• User Reviews: The overall user rating is a strong 7.3/10, indicating a positive reception. While not many detailed reviews are available, the high score suggests that the film's message and emotional power resonated deeply with a niche audience.

Release Dates:

• Theatrical Release: July 9, 2025 (Czech Republic).

• Release Date on Streaming: No official streaming release date has been announced.

Movie Trend: The Rise of Dissident Cinema

Outcry is a key example of a growing trend in global cinema known as dissident cinema 🎥. This movement involves filmmakers creating works that openly challenge and critique the political, social, and cultural norms of their countries, often at great personal risk. These films are frequently produced independently and secretly to avoid government censorship, as was the case with Outcry. This trend is particularly prominent in countries with restrictive regimes, where art becomes a powerful form of protest and a way to document truths that are otherwise silenced. The films often premiere at international festivals, serving as a vital platform to raise global awareness about the issues they address.

What Big Social Trend is following? Women, Life, Freedom The film directly addresses the social movement in Iran known as the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement. It's a reflection of the real-life protests and the struggle of young people, particularly women, against the country's oppressive laws. The film's protagonist, Seti, becomes a symbol of this resistance through her public singing, an act that is explicitly against the law. By focusing on a woman's right to use her voice, the movie captures the essence of this major social trend and the desire for fundamental rights in a restrictive society.

Final Verdict: A Vital and Courageous Film

Outcry is a crucial film that transcends its cinematic form to become an act of political resistance. It's not just a drama; it's a testament to the power of art to challenge oppression. While its guerrilla-style filmmaking may result in some rough edges, these only add to its authentic and urgent feel. Led by a commanding performance from Sarvin Zabetian, the film is a must-watch for anyone interested in world cinema, human rights, or the power of the human spirit to defy.