Writer/director Anahita Ghazvinizadeh gives the film a lyrical, meditative quality.

Though Ghazvinizadeh's voice is wholly her own, Kiarostami's influence is all over They. And if you're going to borrow from someone, one of the most singular filmmakers of the last 50 years isn't a bad place to start.

Featuring a doggedly pretentious style, "They" also includes clunky scripting, with every conversational exchange coming across as a didactic information dump recited by actors rather than a natural chat between actual people.

Tender and contemplative, but as it meanders to its not-quite conclusion, it misses a ripe opportunity to give a stronger voice to a character the likes of which isn't often heard.