A suicidal queer man in Iran finds unexpected hope with a new love, but his growing feelings force him to face the guilt of the lover he once betrayed.

SYNOPSIS:

Velvet Cigarettes follows Diyaco, a 28-year-old queer man living in contemporary Iran, who is crushed by guilt and desperation after the public execution of his secret lover, Shervin—a sentence carried out because Diyaco, in a moment of rage, reported him to the authorities. When he later finds his cat, Peanut, dead, Diyaco attempts suicide but fails.

One day, he walks into a small café where he meets Sorena, a charismatic singer, Sheida, the guitarist, and Samiyar, the pianist. Their warmth pulls him into their world, and they invite him to their rehearsal. Sorena’s interest quickly becomes romantic, and after their first date leads to Diyaco’s bedroom, Diyaco breaks down, confessing the truth about Shervin and the guilt that still haunts him. Despite the shock, Sorena chooses to stay and gives him another chance at love.

As their relationship deepens, Sorena helps Diyaco believe he might still deserve love. Over spring break, the group travels to the northern coast of Iran. On their first night, Sorena coaxes Diyaco into the sea, stripping away the shame he has carried for years.

The next day, they throw a party. When Sorena pushes him to take drugs, Diyaco hesitates, but eventually he gives in. A single joint leads to alcohol, ecstasy, and the first taste of freedom. As Sheida sings, the two dance publicly and kiss, earning judgmental stares that drive them back to their room. There, they confess their love, and moments later, Sorena overdoses and dies in Diyaco’s arms.

Haunted by another loss, Diyaco cannot forgive himself. He performs a final ritual: he paints three cigarettes purple—one for Shervin, one for Sorena, and one for himself. He leaves the cigarettes on their graves. Then he climbs to a rooftop, smokes the final cigarette, and jumps. Before death, he sees a vision of an impossible future: a wedding with Sorena, surrounded by family and friends who love and accept him.

Velvet Cigarettes is a stark, unflinching portrait of queer life in the Middle East—an exploration of love, regret, rebellion, and silenced tragedies endured under a homophobic society and an authoritarian regime.

VELVET CIGARETTES