A Good Day Will Come

Based on the real-life wrestler Navid Afkari, filmmaker Amir Zargara’s short film A Good Day Will Come is an emotionally charged depiction of the events surrounding his part in the Iranian protests of 2018 and his subsequent arrest. 

Sia Alipour plays Arash, a promising Iranian wrestler whose future career hangs in the balance when he struggles to focus on the sport whilst his country experiences civil unrest. Following the death of his sister in a protest against the government, Arash decides he cannot stay quiet, and wears a t-shirt in her memory after a match. Having chosen to join the protesters, Arash barely struggles to keep the turbulent crowds from turning violent and later becomes swept up in a conspiracy that will see him sign a confession under violent duress that he killed someone during the protest. 

With themes of cyclical trauma (the generations of wrestlers in Arash’s family going through the same pain) and political corruption, A Good Day Will Come feels like a much, much bigger film than it is. At around 25 minutes, anyone viewing the film will come away moved, devastated, and enraged. Zargara smartly starts the film with a slow build, hinting at Arash’s growing tension in small ways, such as his coach telling him all regimes are the same and to just focus on wrestling, to the barrage of reporter enquiries and the subsequent protests that are palpably volatile. The scale of the film is absolutely massive; numerous locations are used, fantastic set pieces, and even the wrestling scenes have a brewing foreboding to them that is irresistible. 

The filmmaking is intense and intelligently executed; from the piecing score that will unnerve the audience without any trouble, to the way certain scenes are shot to keep you feeling vulnerable and uneasy. There is a scene where Arash gets arrested and we only hear the initial exchange from the other side of the door. This hidden danger being kept from the viewer’s eyes makes it feel all the more evil and insurmountable. 

Sia Alipour is formidable in the leading role, capturing the inner dilemma of the character to stay focused on his sport whilst his family and country are in pain. There is a humanity in his presence which offsets the dishonourable actions we see around him, from both sides, and this is a much-needed way for the audience to emotionally connect with the piece which could otherwise alienate them with its immense tragedy. We are kept rigid with fear throughout but emboldened by Arash’s brave stance and moving heroism. 

One of the best short films of the year. 

Watch our Video Film Review of A Good Day Will Come on our YouTube Channel.