I’m surprised Jafar Panahi’s “[Tehran] Taxi” is not on that list. This is a very unique film (both for Iranian Cinema and in general). Subtly subversive and critical of the regime, I am amazed this passed the censors.

Panahi worked as assistant director for Kiarostami and his earlier work “The White Baloon” (also strangely not on that list) won him international recognition. He has a very fresh eye.

(Tehran) Taxi - Awarded the Golden Bear at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4359416/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_5

The White Baloon - winner of the Camera d'or at Cannes in 1994:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112445/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_16

Both of those are on the list, here it is sorted by name:

https://letterboxd.com/fliptrotsky/list/top-100-iranian-film...

You’re right. I did a quick ctl-f at the top and missed them.

I did like A Separation for how it drew you into its ethical dilemmas, and also how it kept the truth hidden from you as much as it was for the main character who acts a witness to the unfolding conflict. I also thought the last scene was a beautiful counterpoint to the heaviness of the film.

Agreed. I was less drawn in by About Elly.

A Moment of Innocence, Close-Up, Where Is My Friend's Home?, and Persepolis are next up on my watch list. A Moment of Innocence is a bit hard to find and seems to be available only on DVD.

I thought A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night was pretty entertaining. It was made in the U.S., but by an Iranian-American and its setting is fictional (“Bad City”) with Persian dialog. It has a Jim Jarmusch feel to it.

As an Iranian cinephile, that's a good list. My favourite is probably Persepolis but I'm biased as my coming of age story is very similar to the story's heroine.