Both an engrossing thriller and a sobering look at corruption and tyranny in politics, Manuscripts Don’t Burn chronicles a series of murders and disappearances instigated by the Iranian government in 1996. Agonizingly realistic, the film captures the cold-blooded nature of political violence in an unflinching and biting critique.

Due to its politically dangerous content, the film was released without a listing of cast or crew, aside from the director Mohammad Rasoulof (Iron Island, The White Meadows) who was previously imprisoned by the government for his defiant works. 2013, Iran, DCP, in Persian with English subtitles, 125 minutes. Recommended for 16+.