This is a truly unusual film experience, unlike anything else I’ve seen. It's a docudrama, directed by and starring Jafar Panahi. This is my first exposure to his work, and I was quite impressed. I also discovered that he has been prohibited from filmmaking and leaving the country for the past five years. However, he found legal ways to continue creating films, and this movie is the result of those efforts. He had previously made a few films, but this one marks his return to shooting on location, capturing the streets of Tehran. The entire film takes place within a taxi; the camera never leaves the vehicle, though the car moves around the city. It’s presented in real time and runs close to 80 minutes. There are no traditional opening or end credits beyond the title cards and some statements. The story itself was very compelling – I'm not sure if it was scripted or based on actual events – but the planning involved in shooting it so discreetly was remarkable. All of the actors, with the exception of Panahi himself, were non-professionals, which deserves significant praise because their performances are excellent. It offers a glimpse into the life of a taxi driver and what they observe while driving around town, as well as the people they encounter. Some scenes were very funny, others darkly humorous, and still others prompted reflection. Each time a new character appears, a fresh topic is introduced and discussed, which means the movie remains completely engaging with a variety that keeps you invested until the very end. > "We already have the world record of hangings after China." I thought the ending was particularly clever; because of that kind of conclusion and the absence of post-production credits, I initially wondered if this was how footage was secretly smuggled out of the country. However, nobody truly knows how it was accomplished, otherwise Jafar Panahi would likely have faced serious consequences. It's a rare gem and one of the best films of 2015 that any film enthusiast should try to see. Initially, I wasn’t sure if it would live up to my expectations. But once I started watching, the experience was quite different, and now I am very glad I gave it a chance. People's opinions about this movie may differ, but the effort put into making it deserves recognition. Considering the obstacles he faced – legally speaking – the filmmaker persevered in pursuing his passion; that’s inspiring, and the risk he took certainly paid off. I learned about this film through its wins at the International Filmfare Awards. I feel confident that it won't disappoint you either, as long as you aren't looking for complex plots or a big-budget production. As far as I'm concerned, I couldn’t have asked for anything better; it’s a simple yet entertaining film. 8/10

Source on TMDB