No Bears

The Iranian government prohibits filmmaker Jafar Panahi from making films and leaving the country, causing him great distress. Despite this, he finds a way to continue his passion remotely, highlighting the oppressive political environment.

Panahi sets up in a rented room in the village of Jaban, near the Iran–Turkey border. He begins directing a docudrama about a couple, Bakhtiar and Zara, who are desperate to escape Iran after facing years of abuse.

Bakhtiar successfully acquires a fake passport for Zara but struggles to secure one for himself. This creates tension between the couple as Zara’s prospects of leaving alone disturb her deeply.

While directing remotely, Panahi loses the livestream connection, cutting him off from the unfolding events of his production. This moment of disconnection symbolizes his deeper sense of isolation and helplessness.

Reza, Panahi's assistant director, visits him and proposes a risky plan to take Panahi across the border to Turkey. After a hesitant drive, Panahi feels fear and decides to return to the safety of Jaban.

Upon returning to Jaban, Panahi encounters Gozal, who urgently requests his help regarding a photo taken of her and her boyfriend, Solduz. She fears the repercussions of the image, indicating that it could lead to violence.

Three villagers approach Panahi and explain a troubling tradition involving how a newborn girl's umbilical cord is cut in the name of her future husband. They want Panahi’s help to resolve a conflict brewing between Gozal and Solduz's family.

Panahi is compelled to attend a swearing ceremony upon villagers' insistence that he must confirm he hasn’t photographed Gozal with Solduz. The tension escalates as he proposes to film his oath to ensure transparency.

During his stay in the village, Panahi grapples with the villagers' expectations and his own principles. He learns how political and superstitious pressures affect the community, creating a rift between his role as an artist and the locals’ traditions.

In an anxious moment back in Turkey, Bakhtiar informs Panahi that he has secured a passport for himself. However, Zara disrupts the shoot, revealing distress over Bakhtiar's dishonesty regarding their escape plans.

Zara's mental state deteriorates, leading to her abrupt exit from the production, leaving Bakhtiar distraught. He confesses to Panahi about Zara's struggles with past traumas and fears that she may harm herself.

The next day, tragedy strikes when the body of a drowned woman washes ashore, revealing that it is Zara. This heartbreaking moment leaves Bakhtiar devastated and Panahi at a loss for words, leading him to call cut on the production.

Panahi's landlord, Ghanbar, warns him that the situation surrounding the photo scandal has escalated, leading to police involvement. He urges Panahi to leave the village to avoid further complications with the authorities.

As Panahi prepares to leave Jaban, he learns of a devastating event: Gozal and Solduz were shot while attempting to cross the border. This tragic news further emphasizes the dangers faced by those desiring freedom.

In the final moments, as he drives away from the village, Panahi is filled with turmoil over the events that have unfolded. He abruptly stops his vehicle, symbolizing the weight of the tragedy and the impact of his art in a repressive society.