
Lovers Sleep Alone follows Iman, an Iranian man living in Berlin between isolation, improvised stories and fleeting intimacy. His routine changes when his cousin Maneli arrives from Tehran, bringing a quiet connection to the family, country and identity he has left behind. The drama is written and directed by Massih Parsaei.
Lovers Sleep Alone is a 2026 drama written and directed by Massih Parsaei. Set around an Iranian man living in Berlin, the film focuses on distance, solitude and the uneasy pull of a past that has not entirely disappeared.
The story centers on Iman, played by Pooyesh Frozandeh, whose carefully disconnected life is affected by the arrival of his cousin Maneli from Tehran. The film runs for 1 hour and 27 minutes and is spoken in Persian, German, Hungarian, Arabic and Polish.
Lovers Sleep Alone movie details
| Title | Lovers Sleep Alone |
|---|---|
| Release date | |
| Runtime | 1h 27m |
| Director | Massih Parsaei |
| Writer | Massih Parsaei |
| Languages | Persian, German, Hungarian, Arabic, Polish |
| Status | Released |
Story without spoilers
Iman has made a life in Berlin shaped by absence. He is separated from his family and Iran, and spends his days working as a caregiver for an elderly man and at a truck wash. Away from work, he moves through the city, searching for both human contact and time alone.
Iman also creates stories to occupy the silence and meets a man for sex at night in a park. As he travels through Berlin, the lives of strangers become passing fragments around him. The arrival of his cousin Maneli from Tehran brings part of his former life back into view, placing his chosen distance under quiet pressure.

What to expect
The supplied premise points to an introspective drama built around migration, isolation, fleeting encounters and family ties. Berlin serves as the setting for Iman’s repetitive routines and wandering, while Maneli’s visit introduces a connection to Tehran and to the life he has left behind.
Rather than suggesting a conventional action-driven plot, the synopsis emphasizes observation, movement through the city and the contrast between solitude and brief intimacy. The film’s multilingual dialogue—Persian, German, Hungarian, Arabic and Polish—also reflects the range of people and experiences surrounding Iman.
Cast and creative team
Pooyesh Frozandeh plays Iman, the film’s central character, while Ava Darvishi plays his cousin Maneli. The cast also includes Marcel Kohler, Wolfgang Webeto, Ann-Kristin Reyels and Florens Schmidt. Massih Parsaei wrote and directed Lovers Sleep Alone.
- Pooyesh Frozandeh as Iman
- Ava Darvishi as Maneli
- Marcel Kohler
- Wolfgang Webeto
- Ann-Kristin Reyels
- Florens Schmidt
Release and production context
Lovers Sleep Alone is listed as a 2026 release with a release date of September 24, 2026. It has a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. The film is spoken in Persian, German, Hungarian, Arabic and Polish. Massih Parsaei is credited as both director and writer.
Movies Dock view
Lovers Sleep Alone presents a compact, character-focused story about an Iranian man negotiating separation, routine and unexpected contact in Berlin. With Maneli’s visit linking his present to Tehran, the film’s central tension comes from what Iman has left behind and what may still reach him.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lovers Sleep Alone about?
It follows Iman, an Iranian man living in Berlin, as he moves between work, solitude and fleeting intimacy. His cousin Maneli’s arrival from Tehran brings his former life back into focus.
Who directed Lovers Sleep Alone?
Massih Parsaei directed the film.
Who wrote Lovers Sleep Alone?
Massih Parsaei wrote the film.
Who plays Iman?
Pooyesh Frozandeh plays Iman.
Who plays Maneli?
Ava Darvishi plays Maneli.















