Dysfunctional Cat

Kian, an Iranian man living in Germany, is disappointed by dates that continue to go nowhere, so he decides to listen to the advice of his impatient mother and use the services of a matchmaker. When he's introduced to Mina, he decides right away to get married. It quickly turns out, however, that sharing his everyday life with a complete stranger is a real challenge. Do you snore? Do you smoke? In Susan Gordanshekan's drama, which was presented at this year's Berlinale, the young couple start their life together without knowing anything about one another. Clearly uncomfortable in each other's presence, they try to learn intimacy at an accelerated pace. Still, they make mistakes at every step, and even the cat they take in doesn't behave-or even look-as it should. "Do you believe in love at first sight?" Kian is asked by one of the women he goes out with on an unsuccessful blind date. "No," she hears in response, and the first-time director seems to agree with him. In her film, true affection comes with hard work.