Hit The Road – REVIEW

It’s extremely rare for Iranian films to receive cinematic releases in Australia, but when they do moviegoers should know they’re in for a treat.

Hit The Road, best described as a minor gem, tells the story of a family who are on a mission to take their last road trip together, a road trip that will change their lives forever.

Driving through rugged terrain a father, mother, their younger son, and elder son Farid are on a bittersweet journey that will affect them all emotionally.

The father is on the back seat with a broken leg, the mother finds it hard to contain her tears when not laughing, the younger son is an annoying chatter box, Farid is pensive, and the pet dog is dying.

Ideally this sounds like the perfect selection of characters to head a laugh out loud comedy that centres on a family and the misadventures they experience on a road trip.

However, surprisingly, it’s a drama as Farid is being driven to the Turkish border to be smuggled out of the country.

Not many details are revealed except that he was released on bail for an undisclosed crime and also that the family home may be lost as their son skipped bail.

There’s some humorous dialogue and the younger vivacious son who seemingly has most of the dialogue provides some funny moments with his constant chattering. Ultimately however, this is an emotional drama on the border of tragic as a family must come to the realisation that they may never see their eldest son again.

Filmed completely outdoors in some rugged and picturesque locations, this film was written and directed by Panah Panahi and should be perfect viewing for audiences who enjoy cinematically experiencing alternate cultures.

★★★1/2

 In select cinemas August 25