Two

The directorial debut of Iranian actress Soheila Golestani, the quietly powerful "Two" is loosely adapted from American author Bernard Malamud's short story "Maid's Shoes." Pari (Mahtab Nasirpour), a lonely, middle-aged chambermaid, is hired by visiting expat Bahman (Iranian star Parviz Parastui) to help in packing the furniture and equipment from his father's house, which he intends to sell. The garrulous employee and taciturn employer develop an uneasy relationship: Pari annoys with her constant chatter, but Bahman grudgingly recognizes the plight of the impoverished housekeeper. Screen International singles out the lead actors for praise: "Parastui is gruff and downbeat in the role of Bahman, content to let his co-star dominate the screen. As Pari, Nasirpour is magnetic. Her hair has the texture of straw and her looks are as threadbare as her clothes. But in her smile and her mercurially expressive eyes, we catch a glimpse of the beauty and warmth that poverty has nearly extinguished." (St. Louis International Film Festival)