...more than anything it's great to see the work of a doggedly determined filmmaker who refuses to buckle to the demands of his country's hard right.

A revelatory meander through Iran's remote villages, with every detour throwing a sidelight on customs and habits shaping everyday life.

This is another example of how Panahi, under the guise of looking inward, is really using cinema to celebrate his connection to others.

Although Panahi has returned to his roots with this film, his attitudes remain firmly in the present.