North American Premiere
The discovery of a dead body during a mountain expedition unravels a 15-year-old murder mystery linked to the victim’s friend. The more witnesses and family members come forward to share their side of the story, the more confusing and elaborate the case becomes. What starts as a seemingly straightforward investigation into a mountaineering accident soon becomes a tale of unrequited love, revenge, bitter family feuds, and broken friendships.
This sharply scripted, elliptical crime drama styled as an arthouse procedural marks a sophisticated spin on the endlessly popular true crime trope. Mohammad Esmaeili’s proficient feature debut masterfully blends modern genre conventions with classic cinematic traditions. Complemented by the handsome black and white cinematography, The Bora exudes an elegant, hermetic quality, as well as a mysterious narrative allure that will keep you at the edge of your seat until the very end.
Media Partner
Mehran Nael, Maysam Damanzeh, Mehrdad Ziaie, Majid Agha-Karimi, Khosro Ahmadi, Hamed Komeili
Iran
2024
In Farsi with English subtitles
Book Tickets
Credits & Director
Producer
Arash Shojaie, Bijan Mirbagheri
Screenwriter
Mohammad Esmaeili, Payman Esmaeili
Cinematography
Masoud Amiri Tirani
Editor
Bijan Mirbagheri
Production Design
Hamed Aslani
Original Music
Mahdi Panahi
Mohammad Esmaeili محمد اسماعیلی
Born in 1983, Mohammad Esmaeili started his career as a professional photographer in 2005 and became the photo manager of Cinema Weekly in 2008, then Film Monthly from 2011 to 2015. He made his first short film NEWZIF in 2011, followed by three subsequent short films. The Bora (2025) is his first feature.
Filmography: Newzeif (2011); Hidden Army (2013); Operation 747 (2017); Short Wave (2018)
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Muzizi
From the director of the award-winning film Union Street, Jamila Pomeroy, Muzizi embarks on a great culinary adventure through Vancouver’s African diasporic culinary scene. Muzizi explores powerful stories of immigration, resilience, and joy.
Nomadland
Hamnet director Chloe Zhao picked up one of three Academy Awards (along with Best Picture and Best Actress) in 2021 for this unconventional, compassionate adaptation of Jessica Bruder's nonfiction book, Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century.
True North: Andy Milne in Concert + Film Premiere
Michèle Stephenson's brilliant essay film is an electrifying history of Black Canada. Award-winning jazz pianist Andy Milne, who composed the film's superb score, will perform a solo set live before the movie's West Coast premiere.
