Iran is all over the news. Headlines about the testing of missiles are splashed across the front page of most major publications. And of course the presidential candidates differ on how to deal with Iran. Should we engage in civil discourse with the Iranian Government? Just how dangerous of a threat are they? Instead of delving into the politics of Iran and the US (for a strikingly honest look at that you should head on over to TomDispatch), I want to delve into the people of Iran. And what better way to do that than taking some time to look at the cinema of Iran. Here are five films that are not only artistic accomplishments, but also highlight those who get left out of the alarmist news stories—the citizens:

1) The Wind Will Carry Us: Directed by Abbas Kiarostami, one of the best filmmakers not in Iran, but in the world brings you a simple story of family and of community. The film looks at a man who goes to a rural community for family reasons and in turn immerses himself in the community. It’s a beautiful film and as Jonathan Rosenbaum says, it explores “who owns this world and who deserves to.”

2) Fish Fall in Love : A look at food and family, this film leaves the politics behind and focuses on what connects us and how we deal with the past. And the shots of food are mouth-watering.

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3) Crimson Gold - Here I again look to the words of Jonathan Rosenbaum,: “The film’s candid treatment of the class resentments brewing in contemporary Tehran have made the film unshowable in Iran, where the government has branded Panahi (the director) an American agent--a painful irony given that he couldn’t even enter this country if he wanted to without an inordinate amount of red tape and humiliation.

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4) Persepolis - While technically a French film, the story revolved around a young Iranian girl. It’s touching, poignant, features memorizing animation and is one for the entire family.

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5) The Cyclist - The indirect influence on Kiarostami’s Close-Up, The Cyclist tells the story of a man who goes on bike marathon to raise funds for his wife’s medical costs. More than plot, this is a film about humanity in all it’s glory and disgust.

And read on:

• Candidates Diverge On How To Handle Iran
• Festival of Iranian cinema in Abu Dhabi
• Iran’s treasured film industry struggles under censorship