The Persian Version (2023) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Leila balances cultural and family pressures with her creative ambitions, a search for understanding, and an unexpected pregnancy.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Between Two Homes

Leila introduces herself through a musical performance and describes feeling caught between Iranian and American cultures. Her family's migration history and expectations shape her pursuit of an independent life.

Key Events

• Leila Performs at a Drag Show — Leila opens with a provocative musical performance and introduces her cultural in-betweenness. Characters: Leila Location: New York drag show
• Caught Between Two Cultures — Leila describes Iranian and American cultures as being in conflict and feels pulled between them. Characters: Leila Location: New York
• Family Expectations Press In — Leila struggles with family expectations, particularly pressure concerning her future and marriage. Characters: Leila, Shireen Location: Family setting
• Parents' Migration History — Leila recounts that her parents came to the United States intending to stay for five years. Characters: Leila Location: Family history
• Revolution and War Change Plans — The revolution and war alter her parents' plans to return after five years. Characters: Leila Location: Family history

A Film Hits Home

Leila pursues filmmaking and presents her work at a prestigious New York festival. Shireen takes the film personally, sharpening the tension between them and raising questions about an unspoken family scandal.

Key Events

• Revolution and War Change Plans — The revolution and war alter her parents' plans to return after five years. Characters: Leila Location: Family history
• Leila Pursues Filmmaking — Leila pursues filmmaking while navigating her family's expectations. Characters: Leila Location: New York
• Film Festival Screening — Leila shows her work at a prestigious festival, and Shireen takes the film personally. Characters: Leila, Shireen Location: New York film festival
• A Hidden Family Scandal — Leila remains unsure what family scandal lies beneath her strained relationship with Shireen. Characters: Leila, Shireen Location: Family setting

The Family Argument

Leila and Shireen's clashes intensify, culminating in Shireen calling Leila selfish and stubborn and telling her and Elena to leave. Leila feels rejected but starts to consider whether understanding her mother could reveal the family's past.

Key Events

• Mother and Daughter Clash — Shireen calls Leila selfish and stubborn and tells Leila and Elena to leave. Characters: Leila, Shireen, Elena Location: Family setting
• Leila Questions Her Mother's Love — Leila feels that Shireen has no room in her heart for her. Characters: Leila, Shireen Location: Family setting
• Leila Seeks Understanding — Leila considers whether understanding Shireen could reveal more about the family's past. Characters: Leila, Shireen Location: Family setting
• Mamanjoon Shares Advice — Mamanjoon gives Leila blunt relationship advice and recalls how Leila's parents came to America. Characters: Leila Location: Family setting

A New Possibility

Leila discovers she is pregnant and learns at an appointment that the pregnancy is progressing normally. Maximillian explains that their connection has continued beyond the one-night stand, and they decide to try dating.

Key Events

• Pregnancy Discovered — After a one-night stand, Leila discovers she is pregnant and is shocked. Characters: Leila Location: Unspecified
• Pregnancy Appointment — Leila learns that the pregnancy is progressing normally. Characters: Leila Location: Medical appointment
• Maximillian Explains Their Connection — Maximillian says he is not merely a sperm donor and that they have been seeing each other. Characters: Leila, Maximillian Location: Medical appointment
• They Decide to Try Dating — Leila and Maximillian share dumplings, discuss the future, and decide to try dating. Characters: Leila, Maximillian Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Cultural In-Betweenness — Leila describes her identity across Iranian and American cultures.
  • Drag Show Opening — Leila introduces herself through a provocative musical performance in New York.
  • Conflicting Expectations — She feels caught between family expectations and the life she wants.
• Family Migration History — The story connects Leila's present to her parents' move to the United States.
  • Five-Year Plan — Her parents initially intend to stay in America for five years.
  • Plans Disrupted — The revolution and war change those plans.
• Filmmaking Ambitions — Leila pursues a creative life despite family pressure.
  • Making Her Film — Leila develops her filmmaking work.
  • Festival Screening — She presents her work at a prestigious New York film festival.
• Mother Daughter Tension — Leila and Shireen's strained relationship becomes a central source of conflict.
  • Film Taken Personally — Shireen reacts to Leila's film as something personal.
  • Forced to Leave — Shireen calls Leila selfish and stubborn and tells her and Elena to leave.
• Unspoken Family Past — Leila wonders what history lies beneath her difficult relationship with her mother.
  • Possible Family Scandal — Leila remains unsure what scandal contributes to the tension.
  • Mamanjoon's Advice — Mamanjoon offers relationship advice and recalls the parents' move to America.
• Unexpected Pregnancy — Leila's pregnancy creates a new personal challenge.
  • Pregnancy Discovery — Leila is shocked to learn she is pregnant after a one-night stand.
  • Normal Progress — At an appointment, she learns the pregnancy is progressing normally.
• Maximillian and Leila — Leila and Maximillian reconsider their connection as they face what comes next.
  • More Than a Donor — Maximillian says he is not merely a sperm donor and that they have been seeing each other.
  • Trying to Date — They share dumplings, discuss the future, and decide to try dating.

Directed by

Maryam Keshavarz

Key Cast

• Layla Mohammadi — Leila
• Niousha Noor — Shireen
• Kamand Shafieisabet — Young Shireen
• Bijan Daneshmand — Ali Reza
• Chiara Stella — Young Leila