Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- foreboding
- intense
- melancholic
- serious film night
- iranian cinema discovery
What critics said
Available reception signals suggest a generally favorable response to the film's coming-of-age intensity and visual craft, though broad critical consensus is limited.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bemani's parents' divorce, bullying, and involvement with older delinquents force him into experiences beyond his age.
The plot connects Bemani's petty crime to abuse by peers, parental separation, and his need for acceptance.
The film is described as striking and won Best Cinematography at the Shanghai International Film Festival while focusing on contemporary adolescent life.
Bemani moves from seeking refuge with older kids to becoming involved in petty crime and a shocking, more complex incident.
Films like 13, and why
The 400 Blows
coming-of-age drama centered on adolescent alienation, peer pressure, and social marginalization
Christiane F.
intense youth drama where family instability and destructive peer relationships shape a teenager's rebellion
Pixote
grounded adolescent crime drama combining bullying, troubled home life, and a descent into delinquency
Movie Details
- Director
- Houman Seyyedi
- Release Date
- 2014-12-18
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (7)
Cast
- Yasna Mirtahmasb
- Azadeh Samadi
- Navid Mohammadzadeh
- Amir Jadidi
- Rima Raminfar
- Amir Jafari
- Vishka Asayesh
- Houman Seyyedi
- Mehran Ahmadi
Common questions
- What is 13 about?
- A bullied Iranian teenager finds belonging among older delinquents, only to discover that rebellion can carry consequences far beyond childhood.
- What is 13 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of 13 as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is 13 violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in 13 as moderate.
- What did critics think of 13?
- Available reception signals suggest a generally favorable response to the film's coming-of-age intensity and visual craft, though broad critical consensus is limited.
- Which films are like 13?
- Films with a similar feel include The 400 Blows, Christiane F., and Pixote.
- How long is 13?
- 13 runs 90 minutes.
