Off-Limits Poster

Off-Limits 1986

★ 3.01 votes96 min📅 1986-02-01

In Rakhshan Banietemad's sharp 1986 drama-comedy *Off-Limits*, a quiet government employee named Mohammad Javad Halimi finally achieves a long-held dream when he purchases a modest house on the city's outskirts.

Director: Rakhshan Banietemad

Cast

Mehdi Hashemi
Mehdi Hashemi
Mohammad Javad Halimi
Mahmoud Jafari
Mahmoud Jafari
Jamshid Layegh
The Kind Neighbor
Parvaneh Massoumi
Parvaneh Massoumi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Off-Limits (1986) about?

A civil servant's hard-won dream of owning a home outside the city is upended when he catches a thief breaking in. As he debates turning the intruder over to authorities, he's drawn into a web of ethical questions and bureaucratic absurdity that tests his principles and patience.

Who directed Off-Limits?

The film was directed by Rakhshan Banietemad, an acclaimed Iranian filmmaker known for her incisive portrayals of societal struggles and human resilience through drama and social realism.

Who stars in Off-Limits?

The film features Mehdi Hashemi, Mahmoud Jafari, Jamshid Layegh, and Parvaneh Massoumi in the lead roles.

Is Off-Limits (1986) worth watching?

While it lacks an IMDb rating, *Off-Limits* stands out for its clever blending of drama and comedy, offering a rare glimpse into 1980s Iranian society with wit and heart. Fans of character-driven films and social satire will find much to appreciate in its concise 96-minute runtime.

How long is Off-Limits?

Off-Limits has a runtime of 96 minutes.

About Off-Limits (1986) — A thief, a moral dilemma, and one man's quiet rebellion

In Rakhshan Banietemad's sharp 1986 drama-comedy *Off-Limits*, a quiet government employee named Mohammad Javad Halimi finally achieves a long-held dream when he purchases a modest house on the city's outskirts. But his relief is short-lived—on just the second night in his new home, an uninvited guest arrives in the form of a thief. Although Halimi manages to apprehend the intruder, the real challenge begins when he grapples with whether to involve the authorities, exposing the absurdities and moral dilemmas of bureaucracy and human nature.

With its biting social commentary wrapped in everyday wit, *Off-Limits* blends dark humor and poignant realism to explore themes of justice, survival, and the fragile boundary between right and wrong. The film's intimate, character-driven storytelling and grounded performances immerse viewers in a world where simplicity meets complexity, all under the masterful direction of Banietemad, a filmmaker celebrated for her astute portrayals of modern Iranian life.