Septembers of Shiraz 2016

As Isaac Amin navigates the perilous terrain of post-revolutionary Tehran, his life takes a dramatic turn when he is suddenly arrested at his office and taken to prison. This dire predicament thrusts him into a chaotic world alongside an eclectic group of inmates, each bearing their unique tales of hardship and injustice.

Within the grim confines of his cell, Isaac experiences the harrowing brutality of his interrogator, Mohsen, who is determined to extract confessions through severe physical duress. The stark contrast between Isaac’s former affluent lifestyle as a gemologist and his current desolate state is painfully apparent.

In a chilling twist, Isaac faces the terrifying prospect of execution, paraded before a firing squad. Yet, this life-threatening moment sparks an unprecedented negotiation; he offers to relinquish his entire fortune for his freedom. Remarkably, Mohsen finds Isaac’s desperation intriguing and agrees to release him, leaving Isaac to confront the shattered remnants of his previous life amidst the ruins of his office.

As Isaac surveys the rubble, he uncovers a hidden stash of diamonds cleverly concealed behind a brick in the wall, providing a flicker of hope in an otherwise grim existence. His moment of solace is interrupted by the arrival of Morteza, a former employee who has been surreptitiously plundering Isaac’s supplies. Morteza carries with him a disturbing revelation: a letter from Shahbanu Farah Pahlavi, praising Isaac, which he intends to use for blackmail.

Unperturbed by Morteza’s threat, Isaac, emboldened by his newfound resolve as a revolutionary contributor, confronts him, warning that he can easily expose Morteza’s thievery with just one phone call. Faced with Isaac’s steadfastness, Morteza retreats into the shadows. With his freedom restored and the diamonds secured, Isaac turns to a human smuggler, parting with a hefty sum to facilitate his escape from Iran.

Meanwhile, Morteza’s fate takes a tragic turn as he is apprehended by the Revolutionary Guards for his earlier crimes. As the Amin family prepares for their daunting escape, they navigate treacherous routes, first in a luxury Mercedes before switching to an aging pickup truck for the final stretch.

As darkness envelops the landscape, Isaac and his family embark on a treacherous journey through the whispering shadows of the forest, striving for the distant border. Their clandestine venture is abruptly interrupted by vigilant guards alerted by the cunning Morteza. Tension escalates as Mohsen’s voice crackles over the comms, giving orders that facilitate the Amin family’s passage into Turkish territory.

Crossing the perilous border at last, they leave behind the chaos of their former lives. As they ride towards the unknown, Isaac reflects on a cryptic letter, its meaning lost forever to the flames that consume it. The night gives way to the golden light of dawn, heralding a new chapter for them in Turkey, like an unbound book waiting to be written.