By Paul Salfen, Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine
In a media landscape often dominated by images of conflict and unrest, Cast Aside the Clouds arrives like a breath of fresh air—beautiful, grounded, and profoundly human. Directed by Mary Darling (with co-directors Bre Vader and Felicia Sobhani), the film follows Layla, a young Baháʼí woman in present-day Tehran, whose love for secular neurologist Dr. Sasan Naderi becomes a catalyst for personal awakening amid systemic religious persecution.
The U.S. premiere is set for May 18 in New York City at the SVA Theatre, followed by a theatrical run May 29–June 4 at Cinema Village and a Los Angeles premiere June 4–11 at Lumiere Music Hall in Beverly Hills.
Paul Salfen sat down with Mary Darling for AMFM Magazine to discuss the film’s four-year journey, its timely message, and the power of storytelling to bridge divides.
A Different Kind of Love Story
The film is not a typical romance. As Darling explains, “It’s not your typical boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back story. Because the way that he loses her is so relevant to the story that’s happening today in Iran.”
Layla’s faith—unrecognized by the Iranian state—subjects her to surveillance, barriers to education and employment, and the constant threat of arbitrary arrest. When she is imprisoned, Sasan must confront realities his upbringing never prepared him for. Their decision to stay and face the challenges together transforms their relationship from romance into a shared commitment to truth and moral courage.
Darling notes the story’s roots in real experiences: “We set out to tell a story that feels deeply human and universally relevant. So often, the images we see of Iran are limited to conflict and devastation. We wanted to offer something different—a window into real lives, real love, and the quiet resilience that exists alongside hardship.”
The film has already earned acclaim on the festival circuit, with official selections at more than 19 festivals worldwide and awards including Best Director, Best International Feature, Best Drama, and Best Actress. It features a stellar cast of Iranian actors including Parmiss Sehat, Shirin Youssefian, Behtash Fazlali, and Anthony Azizi. Written by Mary Darling and Clark Donnelly with contributions from Bre Vader, Tal Bolen, and Noam Jenkins, it is produced by WestWind Pictures and GravityBreath Pictures.
Timely Resonance and the Baháʼí Experience
Darling highlights the film’s particular urgency. The Baháʼí community, Iran’s largest non-Muslim religious minority, has faced persecution since 1844. Recent reports detail escalating arrests, property seizures, and threats of execution—issues that echo painfully in Layla’s story.
“From a Baháʼí standpoint, the Baháʼís have been persecuted since 1844,” Darling says. “This happens to be a particularly intense time.” She points to current cases of young Baháʼís facing potential execution and the community’s remarkable resilience, including the creation of the Baháʼí Institute of Higher Education to circumvent bans on university access.
The film portrays Iran not just through hardship but through beauty, modernity, and everyday life—something Iranian audiences have particularly appreciated. “Iranians say, thanks for making the film in English because people in Iran know what’s going on with the Baháʼís. People outside of Iran need to know.”
“Little Stories Open Up Universal Stories”
Darling’s approach emphasizes empathy through intimate storytelling. “I’m a huge believer in telling little stories that actually open up universal stories,” she says, citing Past Lives as a recent inspiration. The film deliberately delays revealing Layla’s faith so audiences connect with her as a person first: “We really want people to understand or fall in love with her and understand that she’s just us.”
On the challenges of independent filmmaking, especially a project with no prior narrative precedent for a Baháʼí lead character, Darling is candid. “This was a Hail Mary moment… Never. Not one. A narrative film that has a Baháʼí character as a main character.”
Her advice to aspiring storytellers is refreshingly practical: “If you have a story to tell… start to write it… Do the work. It doesn’t just happen.” She stresses starting small, accepting early support with grace, and prioritizing authentic connection over chasing commercial formulas. “Little stories actually open up universal stories.”
Faith, Service, and Casting Aside the Clouds
Faith runs through both the film and Darling’s creative process. She describes service in work as a form of prayer and frequently reminds her team, “We’ll figure it out.” Ego, she warns, is the greatest obstacle: “It shuts people down. It leaves people out.”
Her deepest hope for audiences is transformative: “I hope that people will take away a question about what is it? What do I need to cast away or cast aside? So casting aside the clouds of ignorance, materialism, prejudice… learning how to think for ourselves… investigating the truth.”
The title itself reflects this: the courage to question inherited beliefs, recognize our shared humanity, and choose love amid fear. As co-producer Shahin Sobhani notes, “In a time like this, we need more films that reflect resilience, love, and the courage to seek truth. Cast Aside the Clouds does just that.”
Don’t Miss It
Cast Aside the Clouds stands as a testament to the power of independent cinema to illuminate hidden stories and foster understanding. With its female-led creative team, authentic performances, and deeply moving narrative, it invites viewers to see Iran—and one another—differently.
The premiere in NYC will be on Monday, May 18, at SVA Theatre, 333 West 23rd Street (New York, NY). Tickets are available HERE.
The film will run May 29 through June 4, 2026, at Cinema Village (22 East 12th Street, New York, NY). Tickets are available HERE.
The Los Angeles premiere will take place June 4 through June 11 at Lumiere Music Hall in Beverly Hills.
As Mary Darling and her team continue developing new projects—including the indigenous comedy Adam’s Apple—Cast Aside the Clouds reminds us why stories matter: they help us cast aside the clouds and see our common humanity more clearly.
