Elahe Esmaili
, 2023
, 35 min
In the religious Iranian city of Qom, there are many restrictions imposed on women in the name of ‘sexual safety’ – from the mandatory hijab to forced gender separation. Hossein grew up in this misogynistic and patriarchal context, but as a young boy he found himself subject to sexual assault by older men. Keeping a…
Bahman Kiarostami, Rahmaneh Rabani
, 2022
, 90 min
Rahmaneh Rabani is a 37-year-old Iranian woman, born and raised in an observant Muslim household. After the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iranian authorities in the autumn of 2022, mass protests ignited one of the largest women’s rights movements in recent Iranian history. With the protests raging outside of her window, Rabani…
, 17 min
A Feast in a Mirror explores the enduring sense of otherness experienced by women, both citizens and foreigners, in any country, be it East or West. Years of oppression and the denial of basic rights in Iran evoke rage and shame, yet paradoxically give rise to courage and power. As an Iranian woman, my character embodies…
Jocelyne Saab, Rafik Boustani
, 1980
, 52 min
A documentary on the Iranian revolution from the point of view of Lebanese filmmakers (Jocelyne Saab with Rafic Boustani). In an attempt to understand what this wave of change will mean for the rest of the region, they travel from Tehran to Isfahan, Shiraz, Qom and to the Afghan border. Camera in hand, they take…
Bahman Kiarostami
, 2003
, 39 min
Infidels (Koffar) is A Film about the Godars, Artist-Gypsies Living in Northern Iran. The film recounts the four ways which the Godars make their living: dancing, acting, hunting and music, while showcasing their dedication to preserving their art and age-old rituals. In this film, the Godars sing songs, play music, and tell the ancient tales of their heritage which…
Hadi Afarideh
, 2015
, 29 min
“The Afar”, while introducing the ancient and local dances of Torbat Jam and Torbatt Heydarieh, introduces the influential figure of Farooq Kiyani in preserving the local dances of the region, including the dance of Afar, which was a ritual of Nowruz in ancient Iran. The movements of Afer are a sign of creation and show…
, 2008
, 34 min
Naqali (Musical Narration) is an Iranian traditional solo theatre in which only men are allowed to perform. As a matter of fact, it’s been forbidden for women to appear in a Naqali performance. The place for this theatre has usually been teahouses & public squares. A Naqali play is called a Scroll. The Scrolls are…
