TEHRAN -- Iranian drama Kooch (Migration), a feature film inspired by the childhood and adolescence of General Qasem Soleimani, is set to open in cinemas across Iran on November 11, following its earlier presentation at the 44th Fajr Film Festival.
Directed by Muhammad Esfandiari and produced by Mehdi Motahar, the film explores the formative years of General Soleimani, the former commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, focusing on the experiences and circumstances that shaped his early life.
The film’s tagline offers a thematic introduction to its story: “Sometimes, you have to migrate to grow up.”
Rather than concentrating on General Soleimani’s later military career, Kooch takes a biographical approach to his childhood and adolescence. Its narrative follows a young boy navigating family responsibilities, hardship and the challenges of growing up.
According to previously published production details, the story centers on a 13-year-old boy named Qasem, who sets out for the city with his friends to help repay his father’s bank debt after a series of financial difficulties affect the family. The journey becomes an experience of responsibility, discovery and personal development.
The screenplay was co-written by Esfandiari and Motahar and draws on the book Baran Gerefteh Ast (It Has Been Raining), by Iranian author Ahmad Yousefzadeh.
Speaking to Iranian cinema publication Saba, Motahar described the project as an attempt to move beyond conventional heroic storytelling and explore the everyday experiences behind the development of a nationally recognized figure. He said the filmmakers sought to avoid exaggeration and instead portray the environments, relationships and circumstances that shaped their protagonist.
The cast includes Nader Fallah, Ali-Muhammad Radmanesh, Muhammadreza Masoudi, Neda Husseini, Ali Nafisi, Yadollah Shadmani, Masoud Rahimpour, Hussein Sharifi, Zahra Moradi, Hadis Esmaeili, Abolfazl Neginy and Amirreza Soleimani.
Kooch is produced by Maktab-e Haj Qasem, an organization associated with commemorating Soleimani’s legacy. Raha Film is handling theatrical distribution.
Esfandiari previously directed the short film 13 Years Old (Sizdah Salegi), also centered on General Soleimani’s adolescence. Kooch marks a further expansion of his exploration of the subject into feature-length cinema.
The nationwide release places the film among the latest Iranian productions entering the country’s theatrical market in November.