The increasing fear and paranoia are temporarily offset by witty scenes of young queers dubbing a pirated version of Milk.

| Jun 10, 2020

With an eye for detail and atmosphere reminiscent of Mira Nair and Deepa Mehta, [Maryam] Keshavarz nimbly reworks the diaspora narrative with a fresh, stylish, sexy style.

| Feb 28, 2020

Circumstance is a fascinating and perceptive drama with a refreshing take on modern-day culture clashes in the Middle East.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 26, 2019

Luckily, Circumstance is stunning, one worth watching purely for the drama.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jan 8, 2019

An arresting and beautiful love story that carefully navigates its themes.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 23, 2018

"Circumstance" reaffirms cultural stereotypes while serving up generous portions of liberal guilt.

| Oct 7, 2015

Circumstance may miss out on making a truly startling political point, but it is a thoroughly enjoyable and tautly executed tale of young love, forbidden fruit and the world previous generations leave behind for us.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 27, 2012

Takes an even-handed approach that never preaches, presenting a resonant side of Iran's society that we have never before seen on screen

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 4, 2012

Circumstance bravely depicts the political plight of independent young women in Iran, a timely and worthwhile subject somewhat let down by two-dimensional storytelling.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 28, 2012

Crude and predictable but nevertheless affecting ...

| Aug 26, 2012

Keshavarz's film is both sensuous and audacious if a little uneven.

| Aug 24, 2012

Freed from the constraints of Iranian censorship, Keshavarz authentically portrays young life in Tehran with parties, drugs, underground art and a defiant sexuality

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 24, 2012

A lush, insightful drama exploring the tensions beneath the implacable face of modern Iran.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 23, 2012

Keshavarz uses a trowel to feed us her ideas about living under a repressive regime when all you required was a teaspoon. But she has enough promise to keep you curious for her next offering - if she can just get a lighter grip on the ladle.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 23, 2012

Bold, haunting and moving; an excellent feature debut.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 23, 2012

Offers an intoxicating peek into a society where skinny-dipping at dawn can be a revolutionary act.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 23, 2012

Has some strong performances, a thumping soundtrack and some eye opening themes but its occasional brashness tries too hard to shock.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 22, 2012

The content feels familiar, but the perspective is fresh.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 21, 2012

It's languorously filmed and insightful on life in Tehran but let down by an erratic plot turn.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 20, 2012

The final scenes, dominated to a large extent by the stunning open-book grace of Boosheri, took my breath away, and by the time the film was over I was somewhat awestruck by just how deeply the story being told affected me.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 27, 2012