Parvis is not thrilled when he is assigned 120 hours of community service for petty theft. Stealing a bottle of booze from behind a bar isn’t necessarily Jean Valjean territory, but he takes his assignment as a translator at a refugee shelter in stride, especially when he connects with an Iranian brother and sister. He forms an unexpected bond that will change his perception on his bonds with his family and where he comes from.
Even though Parvis is a second-generation Irani-German gay man, he doesn’t feel a connection with his Iranian side. He spends most of his days taking selfies and hooking up with men from Grindr and his parents don’t feel they understand their son even though they don’t seem to mind that he’s gay.
His eyes wander when he serves his hours, and they land on an Iranian brother and sister named Amon and Banafshe. Amon doesn’t speak German as well as his sister, and he is always around an alpha group of guys who jab each other whenever they are together. Instead of creating a relationship only between Parvis and Amon, No Hard Feelings succeeds because it creates a bond between the three of them and not just between the two men.
No Hard Feelings has an exuberant, youthful heart. These young people have so much promise in a world that restrains their happiness. Parvis doesn’t have to tell people that he’s gay — with his dyed hair and boyish, pouty face — but it’s harder for Amon to relate to Parvis’ freedom. Parvis also struggles to understand his family’s sacrifices for the sake of his happiness.
Coming out is a different process for everyone, but sometimes we forget that, as Americans, we have privileges that people in other countries don’t. The bond between Parvis, Amon and Banafshe will be tested as they grow older but facing challenges together will make them stronger.
~ Joey Moser
Teddy Award for Best Narrative Feature – Berlin International Film Festival
Grand Jury Prize for International Narrative Best Screenplay, Faraz Shariat and Paulina Lorenz – Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival
Official Selection – Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival
- Year2020
- Runtime92 minutes
- LanguageIn German, English and Farsi with some English subtitles
- CountryGermany
- DirectorFaraz Shariat
Parvis is not thrilled when he is assigned 120 hours of community service for petty theft. Stealing a bottle of booze from behind a bar isn’t necessarily Jean Valjean territory, but he takes his assignment as a translator at a refugee shelter in stride, especially when he connects with an Iranian brother and sister. He forms an unexpected bond that will change his perception on his bonds with his family and where he comes from.
Even though Parvis is a second-generation Irani-German gay man, he doesn’t feel a connection with his Iranian side. He spends most of his days taking selfies and hooking up with men from Grindr and his parents don’t feel they understand their son even though they don’t seem to mind that he’s gay.
His eyes wander when he serves his hours, and they land on an Iranian brother and sister named Amon and Banafshe. Amon doesn’t speak German as well as his sister, and he is always around an alpha group of guys who jab each other whenever they are together. Instead of creating a relationship only between Parvis and Amon, No Hard Feelings succeeds because it creates a bond between the three of them and not just between the two men.
No Hard Feelings has an exuberant, youthful heart. These young people have so much promise in a world that restrains their happiness. Parvis doesn’t have to tell people that he’s gay — with his dyed hair and boyish, pouty face — but it’s harder for Amon to relate to Parvis’ freedom. Parvis also struggles to understand his family’s sacrifices for the sake of his happiness.
Coming out is a different process for everyone, but sometimes we forget that, as Americans, we have privileges that people in other countries don’t. The bond between Parvis, Amon and Banafshe will be tested as they grow older but facing challenges together will make them stronger.
~ Joey Moser
Teddy Award for Best Narrative Feature – Berlin International Film Festival
Grand Jury Prize for International Narrative Best Screenplay, Faraz Shariat and Paulina Lorenz – Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival
Official Selection – Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival
- Year2020
- Runtime92 minutes
- LanguageIn German, English and Farsi with some English subtitles
- CountryGermany
- DirectorFaraz Shariat