Ava (V) (2017) is an Iranian/Canadian film written and directed by Sadaf Foroughi .
The movie stars Mahour Jabbari in the title role. The plot is said to be based on the adolescent life of the director.
By now (sadly) we are accustomed to films in which cultural and religious norms rigidly restrict the freedom of young people, especially young women.
Ava is such a film, but it stands out for two reasons. The first is the excellent talent of the director. Foroughi makes the frustrations of the young protagonist almost palpable.
The second reason is the immense talent with which Mahour Jabbari portrays the protagonist. Ava has a mind and will of her own, and she does her best to carry out her life in a way that will give her satisfaction. Of course, every way she turns she is stymied.
We saw the Rochester premiere of Ava at the wonderful Dryden Theatre of the George Eastman Museum. It will work well on the small screen.
This movie has an anemic IMDb rating of 6.7. This is a case where I say, "Did they see the same film that I saw?" It's a truly great film. Try to find it and see it.
P.S. In a real-life parallel to the film, Mahour Jabbari was denied a visa to attend the world premiere of Ava in Toronto. Apparently, some of the xenophobia we now have in the U.S. has spread to Canada. Is the Canadian government truly afraid of a young Iranian woman actor? That's pathetic.