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The Postman + Introduction (15*)

Masterpieces of the Iranian New Wave

,Cinema 1
A man and a woman in bed

Dariush Mehrjui’s Iranian New Wave classic presents a sharp critique of Iran’s rapid Westernisation, and the tragic consequences of rash modernity clashing with unravelling tradition. 

Taghi (Ali Nassirian), a timid, subservient postman lives with his wife Monir in a remote corner of northern Iran. He serves as part-time manservant to the local landowner, Niattolah. When Niattolah’s Western-educated nephew returns to remodel the dairy farm into a more profitable pig enterprise, he seduces Monir, a betrayal that hastens Taghi’s harrowing descent into madness. 

Allegories are woven into satire, and while The Postman (Postchi) may be read as a testimony to class repression, it also expresses a deeper fear of all things human. The film possesses an uncanny ability to shift almost imperceptibly from symbolic satire to a metaphysical realm. As the camera slowly surrenders to Taghi’s fractured mental state, his vulnerability becomes our own.  

Inspired by Georg Büchner’s Woyzeck.

Tagged with: Cinema Masterpieces of the Iranian New Wave 2026

Please note that this film contains a scene of animal slaughter.

Introduced by season curator Ehsan Khoshbakht. 

In Persian with English subtitles. UK restoration premiere.

Film information
  • Release year   1972
  • Country of origin   Iran
  • Director   Dariush Mehrjui
  • Runtime   1 hr 50 min

Explore the season

Cinema 1

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.