Seven Unforgettable Fathers of Contemporary Cinema: Power, Trauma, and the Collapse of Authority

2. Woman and Child – The Anti-Hero Father Figure

Director: Saeed Roustaei
Genre: Social drama
Key Cast: Parinaz Izadyar, Peyman Maadi, Hassan Pourshirazi

When Intentions Lead to Catastrophe

In Woman and Child, Hassan Pourshirazi appears again—but this time as a radically different father figure. He is not openly evil. Instead, he is an instinctive anti-hero, whose actions unintentionally leave devastation in their wake.

The story centers on Mahnaz, a mother attempting to rebuild her life, when her teenage son is expelled from school. Beneath this crisis lies the influence of the boy’s grandfather—a man shaped by outdated values, emotional rigidity, and misplaced pride.

This father believes he is protecting his family’s honor and stability. Yet every decision accelerates tragedy. His refusal to listen, adapt, or empathize transforms him into a silent architect of disaster.

A Different Kind of Villain

What makes this portrayal powerful is its realism. Many viewers recognize this character—not as a monster, but as a familiar figure whose moral certainty blinds him to human cost.

January 3, 2026 | 6:23 pm