A green card marriage complicates when Iranian friends & their American partners arrive. A heartfelt dramedy about love, friendship & navigating cultural ide...
- April 9, 2026
AceShowbiz - Same Same But Different is a narrative dramedy that delves into the complexities of cross-cultural relationships through the story of an Iranian immigrant who agrees to a green card marriage with her boss’s son to remain in the United States.
The film, directed and produced by Lauren Noll and written by Dalia Rooni, features Medalion Rahimi as the lead character. Her simple wedding on Cape Cod quickly becomes complicated when her two Iranian best friends, played by Dalia Rooni and Layla Mohammadi, arrive, each bringing along their own American partners and the cultural tensions that come with their relationships.
Same Same But Different premiered on March 12 at the Alamo Lamar/Alamo Lamar 9 during the SXSW festival. The film highlights a heartfelt portrayal of Middle Eastern women navigating life, love, and friendship in America without relying on stereotypes. Rahimi shared that what drew her to the project was its ensemble nature and the authentic depiction of these women as “chaotic and crazy and fun and messy” as they make mistakes and experience life.
The cast also includes Logan Miller and Michael Baszler, with the story emphasizing the universality of love and personal growth despite cultural differences. The film’s sales agent is Christine D’Souza.