by Tracie Cooper
synopsis
Directed by Abolfazl Jalili, Abjad (aka The First Letter) centers around Emkan (Mehdi Morady), a rebellious 16-year-old who is in frequent trouble with his professors. Though very bright, Emkan is constantly berated by his father (Abdolreza Akbari) for his interest in music, photography, calligraphy, and poetry. With a decidedly more liberal view of the Koran than the rest of his community, Emkan organizes a soup kitchen, paints signs for a movie theater, and falls in love with Maassoum (Mina Molania), the theater owner's very Jewish daughter. Eventually, revolution comes and Emkan is forced to make some difficult choices in regards to his feelings, his future, and his ultimate survival.
