Winners (2023)
A tender Persian-language family drama about two children, a found treasure, and the quiet power of doing the right thing.
Winners - Movie Information
- Original Title: Barandeha
- Release Year: 2023
- Directed by: Hassan Nazer
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Comedy, Family
- Runtime: 1h 25m
- Original Language: Persian
- Spoken Languages: Persian
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 17, 2023 (United Kingdom)
- Alternative Titles: برندهها (IR)
- Production Companies: Edge City Films, Screen Scotland, Sylph Productions, World Film Production
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Winners - Plot
In a small provincial Iranian town, the children work hard to support their families. One day nine-year-old Yahya and his friend Leyla find a precious statue. Sharing a passion for cinema, Yahya's boss Naser Khan decides to help them find the owner.
Winners - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see this charming story unfold:
For the love of cinema.
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Winners - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hassan Nazer
Main Cast
- Reza Naji
- Hossein Abedini
- Parsa Maghami
- Martine Malalai Zikria
- Helia Mohammadkhani
- Mahmoud Jafari
- Shahrzad Kamalzadeh
Writers
- Hassan Nazer
Producers
- Nadira Murray
- Paul Welsh
Winners - FAQs
What is Winners (2023) about?
Winners follows nine-year-old Yahya and his friend Leyla, two working children in a small Iranian town who stumble upon a precious statue. Their boss Naser Khan, a passionate cinema lover, steps in to help them track down the rightful owner — a warm, gentle adventure about honesty and community.
Who directed the film Winners?
Winners was directed by Hassan Nazer, a Scottish-Iranian filmmaker known for blending heartfelt storytelling with vivid cultural authenticity. Nazer also wrote the screenplay and co-edited the film, bringing a deeply personal vision to this story of childhood, integrity, and the love of cinema.
Who are the main actors in Winners?
The cast features Reza Naji as the warm-hearted Naser Khan, Parsa Maghami as young Yahya, and Helia Mohammadkhani as his friend Leyla. They're joined by Hossein Abedini, Martine Malalai Zikria, Mahmoud Jafari, and Shahrzad Kamalzadeh in supporting roles.
Is Winners inspired by a true story?
Winners is not based on a specific true story, but it draws deeply from the lived realities of working children in provincial Iran. Director Hassan Nazer crafted an original screenplay rooted in authentic cultural observation, giving the film a grounded, documentary-like warmth that feels very true to life.
When was Winners released?
Winners had its United Kingdom release on March 17, 2023. The film was produced with support from Screen Scotland and Edge City Films, reflecting a Scottish-Iranian co-production that brought this Persian-language story to international audiences.
What movies are similar to Winners?
If you enjoyed Winners, you might love The Twits (2025), Slumberland (2022), The Monkey King (2023), or Dog Man (2025). These films share a similar spirit of childhood wonder and family-friendly adventure. What's Love Got to Do with It? (2023) and 10 Lives (2024) are also worth exploring.
What is the runtime of Winners?
Winners runs for 85 minutes — a brisk, perfectly paced 1 hour and 25 minutes that keeps young and adult viewers equally engaged. Its compact length makes it an ideal family watch, delivering its story with warmth and economy without overstaying its welcome.
How was Winners received by critics?
Winners earned warm critical praise for its gentle humanity and authentic performances, particularly from its young leads. Reviewers highlighted its kinship with the Iranian New Wave tradition — evoking comparisons to the work of Abbas Kiarostami — and celebrated its tender, unpretentious celebration of honesty and community.
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