EMPTY NETS wins the Special Jury Prize at the KARLOVY VARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.
Big congrats to the director Behrooz Karamizade and the whole team.

EMPTY NETS wins the Special Jury Prize at the KARLOVY VARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.
Big congrats to the director Behrooz Karamizade and the whole team. 

SCREEN INTERNATIONAL
"...a powerful debut with his story of a young Iranian diver…"
"There is no question about the quality of film-making throughout. Persuasively acted by the two very charismatic leads, and atmospherically photographed by Ashkan Ashkani the picture introduces German-Iranian director Behrooz Karamizade as a talent of real promise."

VARIETY
"… Lean, engrossing…"
"… As a portrait of entrenched inequality and diminished opportunities in contemporary Iran, this simple, solemn tale could hardly be more damning."

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"Impressive Feature Debut Is a Gritty Iranian Gut Punch…"
"Lead actor Abbasi powerfully conveys Amir’s gradual transformation…"

DEADLINE
"Abbasi is particularly good in this respect, a modest but charismatic leading man, in the style of Gael García Bernal, who engages us even as he fails ever further downwards."

THE  FILM VERDICT
"A layered screenplay, pristine cinematography and strong performances across the board make this a gripping, emblematic story of hardship and the overwhelming force of social power structures..."
"Reza Abbasi has just the right boyish appeal to play the naïf and is suitably charismatic in his early scenes with Asgari, with whom he shares great chemistry."