This film closes on Thursday, September 25th. 

Mohammad Rasoulof is a celebrated Iranian director who, along with Jafar Panahi, was jailed and banned from making films after being convicted of anti-government activities. Following the award-winning Goodbye, this is the second film he has made in clandestine circumstances, though his vision, challenging style and political engagement remain uncompromised. The story of two state sponsored hitmen who are compromised on an assassination mission, Manuscripts Don’t Burn is a slow burning hint of a thriller which directly addresses the lengths authoritarian regimes will go to as they seek to silence independent voices.

The depiction of the killers as family men with recognisable problems affords them a humanity that mere caricatures would deny them, and, along with the understated violence, this increases the emotional impact of the film. Manuscripts Don’t Burn is resonant, heroic and vital filmmaking. (Notes by Michael Hayden.)

Don’t forget we now schedule weekly.

★★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★ The Irish Times