پیر پسر
The Old Bachelor
The Old Bachelor (فیلم پیرپسر)The Old Bachelor is a 2024 Iranian family drama written and directed by Oktay Baraheni. The film follows two middle-aged half-brothers trapped in a troubled household with their controlling father.
Story
Ali and Reza live in an old house with their father, Gholam Bastani. Both brothers are struggling financially and hope to sell the property so they can finally build independent lives. Gholam, however, refuses to cooperate. His unpredictable behavior, substance abuse, and constant intimidation have created a home filled with resentment and fear.
The family’s unstable routine changes when Gholam rents the upstairs apartment to Rana, a young woman searching for an affordable place to live. Gholam soon develops plans to marry her, but Rana becomes emotionally drawn to Ali instead.
Her presence intensifies the existing conflict between the father and his sons. Years of anger, humiliation, and unresolved family trauma gradually rise to the surface, pushing everyone toward a dangerous confrontation.
The film uses this damaged household to examine patriarchy, economic hardship, emotional abuse, loneliness, and the destructive effects of unchecked power.
Cast and Production
Hasan Pourshirazi portrays Gholam, while Hamed Behdad and Mohammad Valizadegan play his sons, Ali and Reza. Leila Hatami stars as Rana. The supporting cast includes Babak Hamidian, Mohammad Reza Davoodnezhad, and Reza Rouygari.
With its detailed character development and intense performances, the film presents a dark and psychologically complex portrait of a family approaching its breaking point.
Why Watch it?
The Old Bachelor is recommended for viewers who appreciate serious, character-driven cinema and powerful family dramas. The film won the VPRO Big Screen Award at the 2024 International Film Festival Rotterdam, where it was praised for its storytelling, dialogue, performances, and exploration of patriarchy and violence.