Chess of the Wind (1976) (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Chess of the Wind (1976) is a 2021 drama thriller directed by Mohammad Reza Aslani, starring Mohamad Ali Keshavarz as Hadji Amoo, Shahram Golchin and Shohreh Aghdashloo. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes and earned $65,668 worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 94 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 39m (99 min)
- Director
- Mohammad Reza Aslani
- Original language
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Persian
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Chess of the Wind (1976) About?
The premise of Chess of the Wind (1976) without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Following the departure of the manor's mysterious mistress, a complex and dangerous struggle for control of her substantial estate begins. Power-hungry relatives and questionable allies engage in a deadly game of chess, maneuvering for advantage and revealing long-held secrets. Allegiances shift as the inheritance sparks bitter rivalries and exposes a tangled web of intrigue.
Chess of the Wind (1976) Cast & Characters
Mohamad Ali Keshavarz leads the cast as Hadji Amoo, with Shahram Golchin as Shaban and Shohreh Aghdashloo as Lady's Maid. Directed by Mohammad Reza Aslani; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Mohammad Reza Aslani
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Mohamad Ali Keshavarz as Hadji Amoo - Shahram Golchin as Shaban
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Shohreh Aghdashloo as Lady's Maid -
Fakhri Khorvash as Lady Junior
Also Starring in Chess of the Wind (1976)
· 6 more- Akbar Zanjanpour Ramazan
- Anik Shefrazian Nanny
- Hamid Taati Commissar
- Agha Jan Rafii
- Javad Rajavar
- Majid Habibpoor
More from Mohammad Reza Aslani
More films directed by Mohammad Reza Aslani: Tehran, A Conceptual Art, Chigh, Therefore Hangs a Tale and Chess of the Wind.
Chess of the Wind (1976) Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Chess of the Wind (1976) 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 94 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (76).
Chess of the Wind (1976) Echo Score Breakdown
Chess of the Wind emerges as a strikingly crafted Iranian drama whose artistic ambition and visual flair outweigh its occasional narrative sluggishness. Critics uniformly commend the film’s distinctive direction, elegant camera work, and resonant social critique, while users highlight its compelling performances and richly detailed mise‑en‑scene. Although pacing can feel measured, the film’s thematic depth and atmospheric texture sustain engagement. Consequently, the work stands as a notable entry in 1970s Iranian cinema with solid rewatch appeal.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 88
In terms of art and craft, the film is praised for its elegant moving camera and disciplined visual composition. Critics note the stylish cinematography, meticulous framing, and distinctive production design that convey an ornate Tehran mansion. User comments echo this, emphasizing striking lens language, nuanced lighting, and meticulous attention to detail, positioning the visual execution as a primary strength.
- Character & Emotion 82
When assessing character and emotion, reviewers consistently highlight strong performances and layered personalities. Critics remark on the compelling portrayals of family and class dynamics, noting nuanced acting that underscores the film’s social critique. Users similarly commend the expressive work of Shohreh Aghdashloo and the dynamic princess, describing the acting as exceptional and emotionally resonant, establishing character depth as a notable asset.
- Story & Flow 76
The narrative is described as a complex, measured tale of intrigue, greed, and oppression. Critics appreciate the elegant threading of story elements and the film’s originality within familiar genre conventions, though some note a methodical pace that may feel slow. User feedback mirrors this balance, praising thematic depth and thoughtful dialogue while acknowledging occasional sluggishness, resulting in a generally positive but mixed perception of story execution.
- Sensory Experience 86
Sensory experience receives high marks for its distinctive visual style and meticulous sound design. Critics commend the film’s textured cinematography, atmospheric lighting, and evocative score that together create an immersive atmosphere. Users echo the impact of the film’s striking scenery, precise lens language, and symbolic imagery, emphasizing how auditory and visual elements reinforce the narrative tone, making the sensory dimension a standout feature.
- Rewatch Factor 78
Rewatch factor is viewed positively, with critics noting the film’s disciplined pacing and rewarding complexity that invite multiple viewings. Users describe it as a good watch that offers thoughtful dialogue and surprising narrative turns, while acknowledging that its measured rhythm may not suit all tastes. Overall, the film’s lasting appeal and layered details support a solid propensity for repeat enjoyment.
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Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 83%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 94 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
Letterboxd 3.5 /5
3 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Chess of the Wind (1976) Plot Summary
What happens in Chess of the Wind (1976) from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a stately aristocratic house, the death of Khanom Bozorg leaves her wheelchair-bound daughter, Aghdas, to mourn within the vast halls of the Moshir ad-Dowleh Mansion. She shares the space with her mother’s widower, Hadji Amoo, and his two nephews, Ramezan and Shaban. The arrangement is uneasy from the start: Ramezan is betrothed to Aghdas, but the marriage promises more wealth than affection, and Aghdas quickly becomes wary of her fiancé’s true intentions. The household is completed by a devoted maid, Kanizak, who looks after Aghdas and quietly forms a bond with Shaban. Intercut scenes of washerwomen gossiping weave a social undercurrent, filling in the history of Aghdas and Hadji Amoo with rumors, memories, and whispered judgments.
Full summary
The whole story of Chess of the Wind (1976), scene by scene
Chess of the Wind (1976) Box Office
Chess of the Wind (1976) grossed $65,668 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$65.7K
- International
- $65.7K
How Well Do You Know Chess of the Wind (1976)?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Whose death opens the film and sets the inheritance dispute in motion?
Chess of the Wind (1976) Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Filiżanka kawy i nowe buty” and “苦咖啡与新生活”.
- Also known as
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- Filiżanka kawy i nowe buty
- 苦咖啡与新生活
- Um Café e Um Par de Sapatos Novos
Seen Chess of the Wind (1976)?
Chess of the Wind (1976) FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Chess of the Wind (1976), each answered in a sentence.
How long is Chess of the Wind (1976)?
Chess of the Wind (1976) runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).
When was Chess of the Wind (1976) released?
Chess of the Wind (1976) was released on October 29, 2021.
Who directed Chess of the Wind (1976)?
Chess of the Wind (1976) was directed by Mohammad Reza Aslani.
More films by Mohammad Reza Aslani Who is in the cast of Chess of the Wind (1976)?
Chess of the Wind (1976) stars Mohamad Ali Keshavarz as Hadji Amoo, Shahram Golchin as Shaban and Shohreh Aghdashloo as Lady's Maid, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Chess of the Wind (1976) make at the box office?
Chess of the Wind (1976) grossed $65,668 worldwide.
How is Chess of the Wind (1976) rated?
Chess of the Wind (1976) has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 94 on Metacritic, 3.5/5 on Letterboxd and 4.0/5 on Movie Insider.
Does Chess of the Wind (1976) have a post-credit scene?
No. Chess of the Wind (1976) has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Chess of the Wind (1976) in?
The original language of Chess of the Wind (1976) is Persian.
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