“HIT THE ROAD” (Persian, Drama, 93 minutes, not rated)

“Hit the Road” takes the tradition of the Iranian road-trip movie and adds unexpected twists and turns. It follows a family of four — two middle-aged parents and their sons — as they drive across the countryside. Over the course of the trip, they bond over memories of the past, grapple with fears of the unknown, and fuss over their sick dog. Unspoken tensions arise and the film builds emotional momentum as it slowly reveals the purpose of their journey.

“Hit the Road” is the quiet, low-key masterpiece of the year…this film about a family on a mysterious road trip is funny, tragic, moving, and a near-perfect debut movie. – Rolling Stone

What makes “Hit the Road” so memorable and devastating is the way it explores normal life under duress.                                                              – The New York Times

.. a vibrantly humane and utterly relatable portrait of a family at a crossroads. – Screen Daily