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

4. Naturdasht – Fathers in Search of Meaning

Director: Mohammad Reza Kheradmandan
Genre: Social mystery, drama
Key Cast: Hadi Hejazifar, Ali Mosaffa, Babak Karimi

Multiple Fathers, Multiple Failures

Naturdasht presents one of the most layered examinations of fatherhood by featuring several paternal figures, each responding differently to crisis.

The central mystery revolves around the disappearance of a village girl. While the narrative unfolds as a social investigation, its emotional core lies in how fathers react to loss, fear, and public pressure.

The Protective Father vs. the Powerless Father

One father prepares his son for a wrestling competition, believing discipline and strength will ensure survival. Another mourns a missing daughter, trapped between hope and despair.

A third father prevents his daughter’s marriage, asserting control under the guise of tradition. These contrasting portrayals reveal how authority fractures under stress, exposing fear beneath dominance.

January 3, 2026 | 6:23 pm