Dead End, dir. Parviz Sayyad, Iran 1977, 96 min., Farsi with English subtitles
Book tickets
Cinema Tehran presents a rarely seen and long banned masterpiece from pre-revolutionary Iran.
In Parviz Sayyad’s Dead End (1977), loosely based on Anton Chekhov’s A Lady’s Story, an 18-year-old woman becomes obsessed with a stranger. Blending psychological and political drama, what begins as a poetic meditation on youth, longing, and imagination, unravels into a haunting confrontation with power and surveillance set against the backdrop of a society on the verge of massive political upheaval.
Digital presentation courtesy of the UCLA Film & Television Archive
Cinema Tehran presents: Early Neorealist Years of Iranian Cinema
Cinema Tehran traces the emergence of neorealism in pre-revolutionary Iranian cinema through two landmark works: Bahram Beyzaei’s Downpour (1972) and Parviz Sayyad’s Dead End (1977). Made on the margins of an industry dominated by commercial melodrama, these films turn their gaze toward the everyday and capture a society on the edge of transformation.
In Parviz Sayyad’s Dead End (1977), loosely based on Anton Chekhov’s A Lady’s Story, an 18-year-old woman becomes obsessed with a stranger. Blending psychological and political drama, what begins as a poetic meditation on youth, longing, and imagination, unravels into a haunting confrontation with power and surveillance set against the backdrop of a society on the verge of massive political upheaval.
Digital presentation courtesy of the UCLA Film & Television Archive
Cinema Tehran presents: Early Neorealist Years of Iranian Cinema
Cinema Tehran traces the emergence of neorealism in pre-revolutionary Iranian cinema through two landmark works: Bahram Beyzaei’s Downpour (1972) and Parviz Sayyad’s Dead End (1977). Made on the margins of an industry dominated by commercial melodrama, these films turn their gaze toward the everyday and capture a society on the edge of transformation.
Cinema Tehran is a pop-up cinematheque inspired by the era of 1970s cinemas in Iran’s capital. This project represents the reemergence of the spirit of the metropolitan theaters of Tehran, and is the continuation of the cult dance party and concert series hosted by Disco Tehran. Each Cinema Tehran session features a multi-cultural selection of films, bringing together classics of world cinema with new visions from emerging talents.
This series has been created by Arya Ghavamian, the co-founder of Disco Tehran. For more info about Cinema Tehran and Disco Tehran, visit https://cinematehran.nyc/ and www.discotehran.nyc/
This series has been created by Arya Ghavamian, the co-founder of Disco Tehran. For more info about Cinema Tehran and Disco Tehran, visit https://cinematehran.nyc/ and www.discotehran.nyc/
Book tickets
07:00 pm
Fri, 12 Dec 2025
Cinema 1
Ticket information
- All tickets that do not require ID (full price, disabled, income support) can be printed at home or stored in email
- For aged-based concession tickets (under 25, student) please bring relevant ID to collect at the front desk before the event.
Access information
Cinema 1
- Both our Cinemas have step free access from The Mall and are accessible by ramp
- We have 1 wheelchair allocated space with a seat for a companion
- All seats are hard back, have a crushed velvet feel and they do not recline
- These are our seat size dimensions: W 42 x D 45 x H 52
- Arm rest either side of the seat dimensions: L 27 x W 7 x H 20
for the following requirements:
- We have unassigned seating. If you require a specific seat, please reserve this in advance
- Free for visitors where ticket prices are a barrier, please email
All films are ad-free and 18+ unless otherwise stated, and start with a 10 min. curated selection of trailers.
Members+ and all Patrons gain free entry to all cinema screenings, exhibitions, talks, and more.
Join today as a Member+ for £25/month.
no. 236848.