Maryam (2002)

78% of critics liked it
(37 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(56 ratings)

It's 1979 and Mary, an Iranian-American teenager, pursues fun and romance in the New Jersey suburbs. Mary's world is radically transformed, though, when Ali, her fundamentalist Muslim cousin, comes to live with her family at the same time that Americans are taken hostage in Iran. American backlash… More It's 1979 and Mary, an Iranian-American teenager, pursues fun and romance in the New Jersey suburbs. Mary's world is radically transformed, though, when Ali, her fundamentalist Muslim cousin, comes to live with her family at the same time that Americans are taken hostage in Iran. American backlash against Iranians and Ali's disclosure of the family's dark history force Mary to come to terms with her own unique, culturally-divided identity.

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Ramin Serry
Written By: Ramin Serry
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Feb 22, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Aug 12, 2003
Studio: Streetlight Films

Critic Reviews

Lael Loewenstein, Variety
A lovely, intricate coming-of-age portrait set in a cross-cultural context, "Maryam" reps a promising debut from Ramin Serry.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
High on melodrama. But it's emotionally engrossing, too, thanks to strong, credible performances from the whole cast.
, Chicago Tribune
A searing reminder of the relevance of recent history and of the timeless power of fiction to humanize people and crystallize sweeping events into personal drama.
Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle
It is enthralling and evocative, despite some flaws.
Loren King, Chicago Tribune
Uncannily in tune with contemporary global events.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Maryam is more timely now than ever.
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
Smarter in its message than its execution, this is still a thought-provoking rental.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Serry manages to tell an engrossing and subtly complex coming-of-age story that involves not just a high school girl, but her whole family.
Rich Cline, Film Threat
First-time writer-director Serry shows a remarkable gift for storytelling with this moving, effective little film.
David Elliott, San Diego Union-Tribune
It's a very sincere work, but it would be better as a diary or documentary.
Ernest Hardy, L.A. Weekly
A quietly moving look back at what it was to be Iranian-American in 1979.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It takes this never-ending confusion and hatred, puts a human face on it, evokes shame among all who are party to it and even promotes understanding.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
captures that perverse element of the Kafkaesque where identity, overnight, is robbed and replaced with a persecuted "other."
Richard von Busack, MetroActive
It's good; indeed, it's important.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Cast

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