Iman (Payman Maadi) lives in Sweden with his wife Maryam (Marall Nasiri) and two daughters, having fled his former homeland of Iran for fear of persecution; shuffling between an ever-changing succession of refugee hotels, he attempts to find permanent residence for his family while earning what he can as a deliveryman. When Maryam unexpectedly falls pregnant, and conversations with the Swedish authorities grow increasingly vexed, Iman chooses to resume his career as a wrestler despite his wife’s objections, hoping to secure a sportsman’s residency permit. As communication with his wife breaks down, and Iman becomes increasingly involved in the wrestling team, he is confronted with the deeper reasons for his flight from Iran. With old rumours resurfacing, his fear and desperation threatens to scupper his family’s chances of a new life in Sweden.

Notes by David O’Mahony