Ten

The events unfold in a contemporary Tehran setting, reflecting social norms and urban life of that era. The film touches on divorce rights, gender roles, and religious practices within a modern city. The narrative feel is anchored in present-day temporal cues rather than a historical past, all within the span of a single observational journey.

Tehran serves as the film's moving stage, weaving through busy streets, neighborhoods, and religious sites. The city provides a backdrop for conversations about gender, marriage, and modern life within a conservative society. The taxi serves as a mobile chamber where private conflicts unfold in public venues across the metropolis.

🗣️ Power dynamics

The film uses the driver’s voice and agency to probe who holds power in intimate and social exchanges. Conversations reveal how gender and authority shape decisions, from divorce to child-rearing. The driver’s outspoken stance challenges patriarchal expectations while exposing the fragility of autonomy in a male-dominated society. Across ten encounters, the power balance shifts with each passenger, highlighting the limits and possibilities of female agency.

👩‍👧 Family and motherhood

Motherhood and parental obligations anchor many conversations, revealing the pressures of raising children under scrutiny. The driver’s treatment of Amin, as well as the sister’s talk about parenting, reflect competing ideals of what it means to be a good mother. Tensions surface when children question their parents’ choices, and when mothers weigh independence against familial duty. The film maps the emotional stakes of family life within a strict social framework.

🙏 Faith and ritual

Religious practice and devotion punctuate the encounters, from mausoleum visits to dialogues about belief. Passengers articulate doubt, faith, and the power of ritual to provide meaning or solace. The driver’s conversations with the pious woman and the believer who questions her faith reveal how religion intersects with personal life. The rituals become a lens on longing, memory, and the search for guidance.

⚖️ Gender and law

The narrative foregrounds legal and social constraints on women, including divorce and autonomy in a conservative setting. Characters discuss what it means to navigate rights within a system that often positioning women as dependents or exceptions. The driver’s past divorce and ongoing struggles illuminate the real-world impact of gendered law on everyday choices. Through intimate talks, the film questions who gets to define a woman’s path.