In this episode of Cinema Callback, Andy and Michael discuss Terrestrial Verses (2023), the formally daring Iranian film that presents a series of encounters between ordinary citizens and unseen authorities, revealing how power operates through routine interactions rather than overt force.

Through the show’s voice note conversation format, the hosts talk about the film’s rigid framing, theatrical staging, and episodic structure, and how repetition becomes a tool for both tension and dark humour. They explore how the film captures bureaucracy, performance, and self censorship, showing individuals negotiating systems that demand compliance while pretending to offer choice.

They also discuss the film’s political subtlety, its balance between satire and discomfort, and why its minimalist approach allows small conversations to carry enormous emotional and social weight.