UNDER THE SKIN OF THE CITY marks the first U.S. release of a film by Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, one of Iran's most acclaimed filmmakers, and widely regarded as the First Lady of Iranian Cinema. Providing a bracingly fresh and provocative vision of Iranian urban society, the film deals with Tuba, a mother of four, who is faced with unexpected challenges that threaten her family and way of life. Oldest son Abbas works to obtain a foreign work visa, which he hopes will allow him the opportunity to better his family's lot and win the hand of a pretty office girl. To make his final payment, he sells the family home, but when his travel plans fall apart, Tuba is forced to take drastic measures to save her house and her son.
UNDER THE SKIN OF THE CITY is a stirring, powerful drama, and unlike any Iranian film seen in the U.S. thus far - it breaks apart more established representations of Iranian society, presenting us with a portrait that differs surprisingly little from one of our own.