Current films from Iran have been pushing the envelope very far in raising political consciousness about the gap between pious principles and rough realities. Under the Moonlight, directed by Reza Mir-Karimi, continues the effort to persuade those holding back progress to wake up and face social problems. Sayyed Hassan (played by Hossein Parastar), a theological student, enrolled to please his family in the province, as he is a descendant of the prophet Mohammed. Although he is a bright student, his first love is wrestling. When the film begins, he is returning to town with Iran’s top wrestling team. His late arrival occasions criticism from the Principal (played by Mehran Rajabi), but clearly he has lost interest in becoming a cleric. All the other students in his class have purchased the required garments for a forthcoming ceremony to induct them as clerics. Finally, he receives funds from home to obtain the garments. On the way back to the mosque on the subway, however, a boy named Jojeh (played by Hamed Rajabali) steals his package of clothing. Sayyed then tracks down the boy, nicknamed Chick, and tries gently to have him return the garments. Chick agrees, telling Sayyed to meet in the evening under the bridge. When Sayyed reaches the bridge in the early evening, he encounters Jojeh’s sister (played by Shaghayegh Dehghan), who is a prostitute. Then Sayyed goes below the bridge to locate Chick, who does not show up. While waiting for Chick under the moonlight Sayyed learns about a world unknown to the clerics-homeless, out-of-work men who are trying to stay alive somehow. He is so touched by the stories of their lives that he sells the garments, which are eventually returned to him, and buys them a nutritious meal. Sayyed’s decision not to complete his studies is thus influenced by the fact that the clerics know nothing about reality. If they really want to practice their religion, they would be helping the less fortunate instead of merely learning rituals. MH