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
Sunday October 12
Indigenous & Community Access
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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)
Vanguard
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The Bora
The discovery of a dead body during a mountain expedition unravels a 15-year-old murder mystery linked to the victim’s friend. This sharply scripted arthouse procedural marks a sophisticated spin on the endlessly popular true crime trope.
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