Entertainment

Lesbian teenagers romp in ‘Circumstance’

Iran’s religious fundamental ists can’t be pleased with “Circumstance,” a bold denunciation of their country’s intolerance, especially toward women. It features sexy lesbian encounters, bare skin, alcoholic drinks and male-female dancing — all of which are forbidden by Iran’s morality police.

Shot in Lebanon using a cast of Iranians from around the world, the film is directed by the talented Maryam Keshavarz, who grew up in Iran before moving to Brooklyn with her family in 1967. She studied film at NYU; this is her first feature after making a series of experimental shorts.

The story, based in part on Keshavarz’s real-life experiences, revolves around a well-to-do, liberal family struggling to cope with the intolerant regime.

The family’s son, Mehran, has just returned from drug rehab. He’s troubled to discover that his beautiful 16-year-old sister, Atafeh, hangs out at Tehran’s underground clubs, where men and women mingle freely.

He’s even more distressed to learn that Atafeh is involved in a passionate relationship with another teen girl, Shireen.

His anger is such that he sets up surveillance cameras at home to spy on the two women. They, meanwhile, dream of running off to a more tolerant Dubai.

There are superb performances by Iranian-Canadian Nikohl Boosheri as Atafeh, the more rebellious of the two women, and French-born Sarah Kazemy as the less-privileged Shireen. Reza Sixo Safai, who grew up in California, is strong as Mehran, whose drug addiction is replaced by religious fervor.

Brian Rigney Hubbard’s cinematography, especially twisty shots from above, gives “Circumstance” visual punch. With the Middle East now dominating headlines, the film could not be more timely.