The Cinematheque

Vancouver Premiere

“Critic’s Pick … Nail-biting … The Charmer is a movie of surprises … Alami’s a natural storyteller.”

Wesley Morris, New York Times

Intimacy and immigration make uneasy bedfellows in Iran-born, Denmark-based director Milad Alami’s assured feature debut, a potent psychological drama combining elements of the erotic thriller, the social-issue drama, and the Nordic film noir. Esmail (Iranian-Swedish actor Ardalan Esmaili), a handsome Iranian man living in Copenhagen, is adept at meeting women at the upscale wine bar he frequents, but his suave demeanor masks a desperate motive: Esmail is about to be deported, and only a domestic relationship with a Danish citizen will allow him to stay. Esmail’s increasingly urgent efforts at romance take an unforeseen turn when he meets Sara (Danish electronica singer Soho Rezanejad), a posh Persian-Danish woman who’s on to his game but not immune to his charms. Moodily shot by cinematographer Sophia Olsson, this seductive, slow-burning film, the recipient of numerous festival awards, marks director Alami and actor Esmaili as newcomers to watch. In Danish and Farsi with English subtitles.

“Subtly engrossing, psychologically fraught … A topical, tightly wound slow-burner.”

Guy Lodge, Variety

“Absorbing and intriguing … It cleverly balances psychological thrills with astute drama, all driven by an engaging central performance by Ardalan Esmaili.”

Mark Adams, Screen Daily