3 Faces (2019)
84%RT Audience Score: 69%
Awards & Nominations: 5 wins & 9 nominations
Observational, insightful, and ultimately powerful, 3 Faces adds another quietly thought-provoking chapter to writer-director Jafar Panahi’s filmography
3 Faces” is a film that takes you on a journey through the remote villages of Iran, showcasing the customs and traditions that shape everyday life. It’s like a love letter to Iran, with strong performances and an honest look at a complex culture. Plus, it’s great to see a filmmaker who refuses to buckle to the demands of his country’s hard right. Panahi remains one of the most intellectually inquisitive and agile voices in Iranian cinema, and this film is no disappointment. It’s a must-watch for anyone who loves a good meandering road trip movie with a touch of social commentary.
Production Company(ies)
Tri Star Pictures, Freddie Fields Productions,
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Miyaneh County, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2019
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 40m
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Language(s):Persian, Azerbaijani, Turkish
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Country of origin:Iran
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 8, 2019 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 14, 2019
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Behnaz Jafari, Jafar Panahi, Marziyeh Rezaei, Maedeh Erteghaei, Narges Delaram, directed by Jafar Panahi, written by Jafar Panahi, Nader Saeivar, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by David Stratton, Sandra Hall, Ben Sachs, Wendy Ide, Ed Potton, Linda Marric, Betsy Bozdech, Jennifer Merin, MaryAnn Johanson, Joseph Fahim, Ruhaan Shah, MPAA rating, Iran, women’s rights, traditions, customs, rural life, Tehran, conservatory, filmmaker, road trip, mountain village, old traditions, actress, video plea, help, family, studies, Dolby Digital, Kino Lorber
Worldwide gross: $2,191,516
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,532,197
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,350
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 276,139
US/Canada gross: $72,324
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $83,567
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,681
US/Canada opening weekend: $7,065
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $8,163
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,744
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Jafar Panahi – Self, Director
Marziyeh Rezaei – Self
Maedeh Erteghaei – Self
Narges Delaram – Marziyeh’s Mother
Jafar Panahi – Producer, Writer
Director(s)
Jafar Panahi
Writer(s)
Jafar Panahi, Nader Saeivar
Producer(s)
Jafar Panahi
Film Festivals
Cannes, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
5 wins & 9 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (101) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (99) | Rotten (2)
…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.
May 3, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
A revelatory meander through Iran’s remote villages, with every detour throwing a sidelight on customs and habits shaping everyday life.
May 1, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
This is another example of how Panahi, under the guise of looking inward, is really using cinema to celebrate his connection to others.
April 18, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Ben Sachs
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Panahi remains one of the most intellectually inquisitive and agile voices in Iranian cinema.
March 31, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Provocative without being hectoring.
March 29, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Ed Potton
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A wonderfully well-observed love letter to Iran and its traditions..
March 29, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Linda Marric
HeyUGuys
TOP CRITIC
Unhurried and almost as realistic in feel as a documentary, 3 Faces combines strong performances with an affectionate but honest look at a complex culture with powerful currents of tradition.
October 26, 2021
Betsy Bozdech
AWFJ Women on Film
In sympathy with the oppressed, Pahani captures the troubling nuances of women’s daily life and the subtle support they give to each other.
October 26, 2021
Jennifer Merin
AWFJ Women on Film
I love Panahi’s films, and his latest is no disappointment.
October 26, 2021
MaryAnn Johanson
AWFJ Women on Film
3 Faces may not be as refined or intellectually probing as This is Not a Film, or not as blithe and carefree as Taxi, but its charm and emotional generosity make it another worthy addition to the cannon of one of Iran’s greatest living filmmakers.
July 2, 2021
Joseph Fahim
Middle East Eye
As a poem on despair and hopelessness is recited in the background, the film wrestles with some questions…
May 16, 2020
Ruhaan Shah
Film Companion
None of Panahi’s usual wit or intelligence is missing, with the focus on outdated male attitudes and the restrictions they place on women in Iran proving to be as incisive as ever.
February 6, 2020 | Rating: 8/10
Steven Sheehan
The Digital Fix…
Plot
Actress Behnaz Jafari and filmmaker Jafar Panahi travel to a rural village in Northwest Iran to help a young girl pursue her dreams of studying at the Tehran drama conservatory, but they soon discover the challenges of old traditions.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about 3 Faces.
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