HIT THE ROAD

Written and directed by Panah Panahi, this is a comedy-drama that follows a chaotic, but loving family on a mysterious road trip across a rugged landscape, a story inspired by his sister’s experience some years previously.  Initially, Panahi was forced to produce a fake script in order to get official approval for the film, but used the road trip as an opportunity to make the kind of film he wanted without external interference.  The father and mother use make-believe and banter to disguise the purpose of the journey from their younger son while older brother quietly drives.  The result is a thoroughly engaging film.