Having moved from Afghanistan to Iran with his family at the age of six, Parting is Navid Mahmoudi’s debut feature film, which explores the ongoing tragedy of illegal immigrants from Afghanistan. Nabi and Fereshteh are in love but due to Afghanistan’s instability, Fereshteh’s family moves to Iran. Five years later Nabi manages to smuggle himself into Iran to be with Fereshteh. Throughout the 78 minutes of running time, the film depicts the tense process Nabi experiences in illegally entering Iran to reconnect with Fereshteh, and attempting to take her to Europe, also illegally. The reality Nabi experiences in Iran is grim, with hostility between immigrants and exploitation for little money. Eventually, Nabi decides to leave Feresheteh in Iran go to Europe alone, hoping for something better in the future. Will there be a future for them? In the end credits, the director’s message, “I am devoting this film to my parents who are immigrants,” confirms the film’s sincerity. (KIM Ji-seok)