The 33-minute black-and-white film, Bahram Beyzaie’s second short after Uncle Mustache (Amoo Sibiloo), was recently restored in 4K at Roshna Studio under the supervision of Kamran Saharkhiz with support from the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults.
The Journey stars two teenage actors, Sirus Hassanpour and Abbas Dastranj, and has previously won multiple awards, including the Golden Statue at the International Festival of Children and Youth Films (1972), Best Short Film at the Moscow International Film Festival (1973), and Best Short Film at the Chicago International Film Festival (1973).
Hassanpour, now a filmmaker, recalled that acting in The Journey was a new experience. He practiced for two weeks under the guidance of assistant director Varouj Karim-Masihi before filming, following Beyzaie’s recommendation.
The film is a profound meditation on life, exploring loss, the quest for truth, and the complexities of human experience.
The 69th BFI London International Film Festival runs from October 8 to 19, 2025, in London.