The Lizard

In this satirical film set in post-revolutionary Iran, a petty criminal named Reza (played by Parviz Parastui) unexpectedly forms an alliance with a clergyman he encounters in prison. After discovering that dressing as a cleric allows him certain liberties and freedoms, Reza seizes the opportunity to attempt an escape from confinement.However, upon leaving the city and traveling through rural villages, he discovers that adopting the mantle of a religious figure is met with skepticism and cynicism by the public. Undeterred, Reza decides to use this disguise to his advantage, hoping to eventually find an opportunity to flee the country. His plans are thrown into disarray when he is welcomed into one such village community, which begins to rely on him for religious guidance and rituals.Navigating his newfound role as a spiritual leader in a community that has embraced him, Reza must now confront his own beliefs, values, and the unexpected connections he forms with the people around him. As the lines between his past life and his new identity become increasingly blurred, we are left wondering if this unplanned detour will transform Reza into an unlikely pillar of the community or lead to a newfound purpose in his life.