What Is What’s the Time In Your World? About?
The premise of What’s the Time In Your World? in 279 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet hills surrounding Rasht, the rhythm of daily life carries the scent of tea leaves and the echo of distant songs. After two decades immersed in the cafés and boulevards of Paris, Gilehgol “Goli” Ebtehaj steps back onto the soil of her hometown, carrying the subtle ache of a life lived between worlds. The town itself feels both familiar and foreign—its narrow lanes and warm gatherings hold the memory of a mother long gone, while also reminding her of the years that have slipped away.
Among the familiar faces she encounters, a strikingly earnest painter introduces himself as Farhad Yervan, a self‑styled “Mr. Idiot” who insists he has known her far longer than she recalls. His presence is at once unsettling and oddly comforting, as he seems to possess an intimate map of her past—her college days, the habits she never thought anyone would notice, and the quiet corners of her childhood imagination. The town’s close‑knit community, with its blend of nostalgic reverence and whispered gossip, begins to frame Goli’s return as a delicate dance between rediscovery and the weight of unspoken expectations.
As Goli navigates the gentle tug of old friendships, lingering regrets, and the subtle pull of a love that once seemed distant, the film settles into a tone that is both contemplative and lightly playful. The interplay of personal memory with the surrounding landscape creates a palpable sense of longing, inviting viewers to wonder how far one can stretch the threads of identity before they fray. In this atmosphere of quiet curiosity, the story promises a tender exploration of home, belonging, and the enigmatic ways strangers can sometimes feel like the most familiar companions.
What Happens in What’s the Time In Your World??
The complete story of What’s the Time In Your World?, from the first scene to the last, in 475 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
After twenty years in Paris, Gilehgol “Goli” Ebtehaj Leila Hatami returns to her hometown near Rasht, leaving her French beau, Antoine Christophe Rezai, behind. She is greeted by Farhad Yervan Ali Mosaffa, the self-described “Mr. Idiot” painter who claims to know her since long ago. Goli is repulsed by his advances and the fact that he knows so many things about her, while she is distressed that everyone in town seems to accuse her of missing out on her mother, Hava Zari Khoshkam’s funeral five years ago. She later recollects that Farhad had known her since at least college times, and the layered ache of memory begins to surface.
Interspersed with her current troubles are flashbacks showing that Farhad had made repeated contacts with Hava, from whom he learned about Goli. Hava held Farhad affectionately and lamented Goli’s indifference towards him, a thread that ties together past and present in a slow, aching reveal. The town’s whispers and the weight of old loyalties press in as Goli slowly reawakens fragments of a life she once cherished.
Goli begins reconnecting with her old life, including meeting with her college crush, Ali Yaghuti Payam Yazdani, who is now married with three children, her aunt who lives in Bandar-e Anzali, and tea plantation owner Mr. Najdi Ebrahim Zamir, who reveals that he had plans to propose to Hava before he moved overseas. These encounters pull her back into a web of memories, regrets, and unresolved emotions that had lain dormant for years.
At one point, Goli becomes furious at Farhad due to his repeated advances and lets him get attacked by a mob for harassment, though she later apologizes and invites him to her house. He accepts, walking with his head down the street and carrying a large suitcase; when he arrives, he collapses from dizziness, a physical manifestation of the emotional shock he has endured.
As Goli calls him, flashbacks reveal that Farhad had in fact known and fallen in love with Goli since they were children. He observed her mannerisms, her fondness, even her habit of drawing X every time she went to the pier, which is later explained as a way for her to remember a lost lyric for a song. The depths of his long-buried feelings become clear as the truth of their connection emerges more fully.
After he wakes up, he shows Goli the contents of the suitcase: all things that she used to hold dear. The revelation of these keepsakes and the shared history they represent binds them in a new, if complex, moment of understanding. The two stay together until night, when an exhausted Farhad decides to sleep on a table in the living room, with Goli bidding him good night, a quiet closing note that hints at the delicate balance between estrangement and attachment that has threaded their relationship throughout.
What’s the Time In Your World? Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Goli returns to her hometown near Rasht” to “The night closes on unresolved bonds”. 14 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Goli returns to her hometown near Rasht
After twenty years in Paris, Goli Ebtehaj returns to her hometown near Rasht, leaving her French lover Antoine behind. The homecoming is tense, fraught with gossip about the life she might have missed. The visit reopens old wounds and sets the slow, aching memory in motion.
When:present Where:near Rasht
- 2
Farhad greets Goli and asserts familiarity
She is greeted by Farhad Yervan, the self-described 'Mr. Idiot' painter who claims to know her from long ago. He is insistent, and his knowledge of her past feels both flattering and invasive. Goli resents his advances and views the encounter with caution.
When:present Where:town center
- 3
Town whispers and Goli's distress about her mother's funeral
The town whispers about Goli's absence during her mother Hava's funeral five years ago, and she feels exposed as everyone weighs her choices. The memory of the funeral heightens her unease and sense of judgment. She struggles to keep up a facade of normalcy.
When:present Where:town
- 4
Flashback to Farhad knowing Goli since college
Flashbacks reveal Farhad's long acquaintance with Goli dating back to college, showing how he observed her mannerisms and quirks. The memory surfaces gradually, hinting at a history neither fully acknowledges. This past slowly pulls the present into a deeper layer of longing and regret.
When:flashback Where:college
- 5
Hava's connections to Farhad and the origins of the link
Interwoven with the present, the film shows Farhad's repeated contacts with Hava, who learns about Goli through him. Hava cherished Farhad's affection and lamented Goli's indifference. The threads between past and present grow tangled as memories reemerge.
When:flashback
- 6
Goli reconnects with Ali Yaghuti, her college crush
Goli tracks down Ali Yaghuti, her college crush, who is now married with three children, and they reconnect. The encounter stirs nostalgia and regret, reminding her of what she left behind. Ali's settled life contrasts with their past bond, underscoring how much has changed.
When:present Where:town / college area
- 7
Goli meets her aunt in Bandar-e Anzali
Goli visits her aunt who lives in Bandar-e Anzali, reconnecting with family and a life left behind. The trip broadens her sense of what she could have had and what she might still reclaim. The meeting deepens the sense of place and history in her story.
When:present Where:Bandar-e Anzali
- 8
Mr. Najdi reveals his past plans with Hava
Tea plantation owner Mr. Najdi reveals that he had planned to propose to Hava before he moved overseas. The confession adds a layer of unfulfilled love and loyalty that colors Goli's memories. The revelation ties together personal histories and the town's quiet heartbreak.
When:present Where:Tea plantation
- 9
Goli's fury and Farhad attacked by a mob
Goli's fury toward Farhad escalates into an act that enables a mob to attack him for harassment. The incident forces her to confront the consequences of her actions and her responsibility toward him. Later, she apologizes and invites him to her house, showing the complexity of their bond.
When:present Where:town street
- 10
Farhad arrives at Goli's house with a suitcase
Farhad arrives at Goli's house with a large suitcase and the weight of unspoken longing. He walks with his head down, the burden evident in his posture. Goli invites him in, signaling an opening for dialogue between them.
When:present Where:Goli's house
Show the other 5 events of What’s the Time In Your World? Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Farhad collapses from dizziness, revealing emotional shock
After arriving, Farhad collapses from dizziness, a physical manifestation of the emotional shock he has endured. Goli watches with concern as the moment reveals how deeply his feelings run. The collapse becomes a turning point in their fragile relationship.
When:present Where:Goli's house
- 12
The suitcase contents reveal shared memories
Awakening, Farhad shows Goli the contents of the suitcase—keepsakes she used to hold dear. The objects anchor memories that bind their histories together and reshape their relationship. The revelation invites a reconsideration of what they mean to each other.
When:present Where:Goli's house
- 13
The memory of a lost lyric tied to the pier
Flashbacks reveal Farhad's long-held love for Goli, including his close observation of her, her habits, and her habit of drawing an X at the pier to recall a lost lyric. The detail deepens the emotional resonance and explains how memory can shape present action. The pier memory ties together personal history with the present tension.
When:flashback Where:pier / childhood
- 14
A fragile reconciliation and nocturnal ending
The revelation of shared memories creates a fragile understanding between Goli and Farhad. They stay together into the night, with Farhad sleeping on a table in the living room while Goli bids him good night. The moment hints at ongoing tension between estrangement and attachment.
When:night Where:Goli's house, living room
- 15
The night closes on unresolved bonds
The film closes on a quiet note about memory, desire, and reconciliation. Goli and Farhad linger in the glow of the revelations, not fully joined but not entirely parted. The final image suggests a future shaped by what memory can still offer.
When:night Where:Goli's house
Who Are the Main Characters in What’s the Time In Your World??
7 characters, among them Goli Ebtehaj - Leila Hatami, Farhad Yervan - Ali Mosaffa and Ali Yaghuti - Payam Yazdani: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- GE
Goli Ebtehaj - Leila Hatami
Played by Leila Hatami
Goli returns to her hometown near Rasht after twenty years in Paris, confronted by whispers about her mother's funeral. She reconnects with people from her past, including a painter, Farhad, whose knowledge of her seems uncanny. As memories resurface, she questions what she left behind and what, if anything, waits for her back home. The visit intertwines nostalgia with a painful reckoning of lost opportunities.
- 🎭 Drama
- 🧭 Memory
- 💔 Regret
-
Farhad Yervan - Ali Mosaffa
Played by Ali Mosaffa
Farhad is the self-described 'Mr. Idiot' painter who claims to know Goli from long ago. He pursues her with obvious persistence, triggering a mob attack that reveals his vulnerability. Flashbacks show he has known Goli since childhood and that his long-buried feelings run deep. When he presents a suitcase of keepsakes, their shared history becomes a catalyst for a fragile second chance.
- 🎨 Artist
- 💘 Longing
- 🕰️ Memory
- AY
Ali Yaghuti - Payam Yazdani
Played by Payam Yazdani
Ali Yaghuti is Goli's college crush, now married with three children. His reunion with Goli exposes what might have been, while the life he built contrasts with the memories she reawakens. He is part of the small-town web of loyalties and regrets that pull Goli back into her former life.
- 🎓 Academia
- 💬 Conversation
- 🕊️ Reflection
- H-
Hava - Zari Khoshkam
Played by Zari Khoshkam
Hava is Goli's mother, who died five years ago; she is remembered as someone whose funeral becomes a focal point of the town's whispers. Farhad's repeated attention to Hava in the past reveals a complicated love triangle that shaped Goli's life.
- 🌸 Mother
- 💔 Grief
- 🕊️ Loss
- MN
Mr. Najdi - Ebrahim Zamir
Played by Ebrahim Zamir
Mr. Najdi is a tea plantation owner who reveals he had plans to propose to Hava before moving overseas. His dialogue ties the present to the past and hints at the choices that shaped the town's fortunes.
- 🏞️ Tea
- 💼 History
- 🌿 Agriculture
- A/
Antoine / Monsieur Legrand - Christophe Rezai
Played by Christophe Rezai
Antoine is Goli's French beau who remains in Paris, representing the life Goli left behind. His presence in memory sequences underscores the choices that defined her hiatus from home.
- 💔 Lost love
- ✈️ Distance
- 🎭 Drama
- K-
Khaljan - Lili Samii
Played by Lili Samii
Khaljan is Goli's aunt who lives in Bandar-e Anzali, anchoring the family ties along the north Iranian coast.
- 👵 Aunt
- 🏠 Family
- 🌾 Bandar-e Anzali
Where and When Is What’s the Time In Your World? Set?
What’s the Time In Your World? is set in Rasht region (near Rasht), Paris and Bandar-e Anzali (Present-day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present-day
The narrative unfolds in the present as Goli returns, interlaced with flashbacks to her college years. It traces the slow resurfacing of memories, regrets, and loyalties that linger in a small town and in Paris.
Where
Rasht region (near Rasht), Paris, Bandar-e Anzali
The action shifts between the lush Caspian shoreline near Rasht in northern Iran, the bustling streets of Paris where Goli lived for twenty years, and Bandar-e Anzali where family ties run deep. The settings anchor the story in a cross-cultural, cross-time experience, showing how memory travels between continents. The Iran locations emphasize belonging and the pull of home, while Paris reflects distance and longing.
- 🇮🇷 Iran
- 🗺️ Rasht region
- 🌊 Caspian coast
- 🗼 Paris
What Are the Themes of What’s the Time In Your World??
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Memory, Rumor and Love.
-
01
Memory
Memory threads through the entire story, stitching together Goli's return with long-buried feelings and discoveries about Farhad. The film uses recollection to blur the line between past and present, making old choices feel urgent again. As keepsakes and familiar places reappear, the audience feels the weight of what was lost and what might be reclaimed.
-
02
Rumor
Whispers from the town press on Goli and her family, shaping how she is seen and how she moves through her reunion. Gossip magnifies old loyalties and resentments, forcing confrontations that would otherwise stay buried. The film shows how community talk can both trap and reveal, driving the characters toward truth or retreat.
-
03
Love
Love resurfaces in long-buried forms, particularly through Farhad's enduring feelings for Goli. The narrative explores how affection can persist across years, distance, and miscommunication. It also examines the risk of returning to someone who knows you too well.
-
04
Homecoming
Goli's return sets memories in motion, tugging her toward an uneasy balance of estrangement and attachment. The place—her hometown near Rasht and the people she left—acts as a mirror for who she once was. The journey suggests that coming home is as much internal as it is geographical.
What Kind of Film Is What’s the Time In Your World??
Melancholic in tone, with slow pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Melancholic
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A slow-paced and melancholic Iranian drama that immerses the viewer in a nostalgic atmosphere of regret and reconnection, filled with quiet moments that reveal the aching weight of forgotten memories and long-buried affection.
- nostalgic
- reflective
- aching
- lonely
- quiet
- romantic longing
- returning home
- unrequited love
- grief and loss
- memory and the past
Quiz
How well do you remember What’s the Time In Your World?? Test yourself on the story.
