Modest Reception

This absurd comedy puts the pedal to the metal from scene one and never looks back. It follows a young couple who drive around a mountainous Iranian countryside in a SUV loaded with cash. They dole out the money to poor people they meet, asking the cruellest favours in return. Is this just a game? Are they criminals or Samaritans? Modest Reception is a dark and energetic fable that seems less interested in answering such questions, and all the more into investigating how far people are willing to go in exchange for money. Mani Haghigh and Taraneh are brilliant as the leading couple.

Mani Haghighi (1969) is an Iranian theatre director, actor, and filmmaker. With a background in philosophy and cultural studies, he has gone on to direct a number of documentaries and fiction films, several of which have premiered at the Berlinale. His films often mix elements of comedy and other genres with criticism of society. Haghighi is one of the main guests at this year's festival.