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Iranian cinema allows for a glimpse of a country we rarely get to see

Working within strict censorship laws, Iranian films do not shy away from exploring sensitive social and cultural issues.
31 Aug, 2020

If there is any country that regularly produces cinema that is both thought-provoking and beautiful, it is Iran. From old masters to newer auteurs, the films are considered a class apart.

And while Iranian films are internationally acclaimed at the Oscars, Cannes and Berlin film festivals—earlier only a select few could glimpse these gems. But with online offerings, Iranian cinema is now only a click away.

Yet what's most interesting about Iranian cinema is that it exists in a peculiar paradox of tension between the political and the artistic. All films are subject to strict censorship laws that must adhere to the Islamic Republic’s moral, social and religious codes. Women must be shown in a constant state of hijab, and physical intimacy is verboten.

But regardless of these restrictions, Iranian filmmakers do not shy away from exploring sensitive and nuanced social, cultural issues of all kinds; their remarkable ingenuity and creativity allows them to flourish despite the obstacles.

Within the smallest microcosm of a story lies a larger truth

Iranian films are often humanist social dramas that explore a seemingly minimalist storyline, but through the art of allusion, they are rich in political subtext.

The tension between religion and culture, as well as conformity and individual desire, creates a riveting viewing experience.

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To be able to express emotions and create chemistry between the characters, Iranian filmmakers often lean on traditional elements such as a rich heritage of poetry and Sufi storytelling that combine allegory, and spiritual elements to circumvent social and cultural mores.

At times, the stories are told from a child’s perspective with the simplest of storylines. It is really a marvel how the most mundane event — returning a friend’s book, trying to buy a goldfish for Nowruz, losing a pair of shoes — turn it into a revelation of character, society and ourselves.

Blurring the line between fiction and non-fiction

While we pat ourselves on the back when introducing differently-abled characters on our screens, Iranian cinema has been doing this since they started making films.

These characters are at times the protagonists and often times just part of the fabric of the film and treated with gentleness, kindness and love and affection and very much a visible part of the community.

A scene from About Elly
A scene from About Elly

Another aspect of Iranian films that give them their unique realism is the blurring of lines between fiction and non-fiction and the use of professional as well as non-actors. Despite a rigid set of restrictions, Iranian actors give such nuanced performances whether in individual roles or with ensemble casts that leaves the audience completely involved in the outcome of their story.

What's more, the views of the crowded city of Tehran, the beauty of its countryside along with espying inner courtyards of characters homes lined with rich Persian carpets, their appealing dastakhwans and beautiful architecture and alleyways allow for a glimpse of a country we rarely get to see.

View of Tehran
View of Tehran

There is an additional spark of pleasure when we recognize a Farsi word and see similarities within each other’s traditions. All this gives us a window into their world while at the same time expanding our perspectives of Iranians and their joys and struggles which often mirror our own.

This is not, of course, to say that there aren’t problems. Iranian cinema is beset by issues of freedom of expression, patriarchy and towing the political and Islamic line. Women’s voices are not as well represented despite some very talented women filmmakers and actors.

For the uninitiated, however, you must know that these are not escapist films. The pace of the films is slow and yet, they are so captivating that you find yourself thinking deeply about them for days.

The list of films below is not exhaustive but meant as an entry point into the world of Iranian cinema.

In these confined times if we are fortunate enough to toggle between boredom and gratitude while people around us face crippling hunger and harrowing deaths, let us take a moment to recognize our privilege and through these viewings work on strengthening that often underdeveloped emotion — empathy.

Old masters

The three great Iranian filmmakers who put Iranian cinema on the world map include Abbas Kirostami, Mohsen Makhmalbaf and Jafar Panahi.

Kirostami, Makhmalbaf and Panahi
Kirostami, Makhmalbaf and Panahi

Kirsoatami’s works Taste of Cherry, Through the Olive Trees, Where is the Friends’ House? are more abstract but have immense lyrical beauty, while Makhmalbaf’s films have a more philosophical feel. See The Cyclist, A Moment of Innocence and The Silence.

Taste of Cherry

A Moment of Innocence

Panahi’s films mostly feature social and political critiques and he has had to pay a price for his views. Watch Taxi, The White Balloon and The Circle.

Taxi

Newer filmmakers

Asghar Farhadi is the talented writer-director known for his award-winning films A Separation and The Salesman.

A Separation

His fine-tuned control over the script and the subtle shifts in perspectives of all the characters places you in their gut-wrenching moral conundrums. By evoking our empathy for all point of views, he really creates a more humanist cinema that calls for repeat viewing.

The Salesman

Additionally, watch his earlier work About Elly and Fireworks Wednesday.

Some newer films that create riveting cinema from the most mundane storylines are Ghasam (Swear), a story of a family travelling to Mashhad to testify in court about the death of their sister and how every step of their journey leads to increasing doubt.

Ghasam

Ide Asli (Main Idea) is the story of firms competing for tenders to win a construction contract.

Ide Asli

Takhti is the story of Iran’s most popular wrestling champion and the director who must complete the project.

Takhti

Women in cinema

Rakhsan Banietemad often called the First Lady of Iranian cinema has many prestigious films to her name.

Rakhsan Banietemad
Rakhsan Banietemad

Her work examines the social, economic issues in the country through a woman’s perspective. See Roosari Abi (The Blue Veiled) about a widower’s search for love.

Roosari Abi

Her daughter Baran Kowsari also features in many of her films such as Ghesse-ha (Tales), a film that revolves around the different lives and challenges of living in Iran.

Tahmineh Milani is a well know writer-director who often focusses a critical lens on the lives of women in Iran.

Tahmineh Milani
Tahmineh Milani

See Do Zan ( Two Women) which looks at the diverging ways tradition forces two friends into different lives, and Vakonesh Panjom (The Fifth Reaction), a story about a widow who’s fight for the custody of her children must endure legal, patriarchal and social injustices along the way.

Vakonesh Panjom

Drama serials

Iranian drama serials are also a wonderful source of entertainment and provide a wide tableau of experiences from satire to historical dramas with a wonderful array of actors and performances.

Shahrzad is a fascinating Iranian period drama about a fractured love story set during the 1950s coup that overthrew the Masaddeq government. Its ability to tell a compelling story with historical, political and social ramifications with a critical lens at the patriarchy is a stunning achievement with some of the best acting all around.

Shahrzad

Pedar follows a young rebellious girl who changes after she falls in love and marries her husband. His more traditional family welcomes and supports her while her parents develop an antagonistic relationship with her. Here father-in-law does everything he can to protect her and ends up being more of a father to her.

Pedar

Hayoula (The Monster) directed by the acclaimed actor, director, creative artist Mehran Modiri is a searing social satire. It tells the story of a humble honest teacher whose life takes a 180-degree turn which leads him to become wealthy through ill-gotten gains. His other drama Ghahveye Talkh (Bitter Coffee) transports a man to the past and he becomes a royal favourite for his ability to predict the future.

Hayoula

Shahgoosh is a comedy which revolves around a police officer with big ears and the special talent to hear everything down the hall and into the street. This trait comes in handy to solve the murder case he has recently been assigned.

Shahgoosh


***


Here’s to discovering a whole new world or finding a new Farsi friend —I know I have!


Many thanks to Mariam Ispahani for her patience and contribution to this article.

Comments

Amaan Aug 31, 2020 09:41am
Wonderful
Recommend
Adnan Aug 31, 2020 10:09am
Great Curtain-raising on one of the beacon lights of Asian cinema. Have seen various Iranian master pieces while being in Tehran during business trips or in the flights. Iranian cinema is also pertinent to Pakistanis due to their Cultural values, challenges In which they dwell as a creative force and lastly, how to survive and thrive. Would be awesome, if there’s a vibrant exchange between the Cinema communities of both countries that’ll be immensely helpful for us.
Recommend
Zafar Aug 31, 2020 10:42am
One word - Thank you!
Recommend
m@k Aug 31, 2020 11:31am
Kudos for sharing such an interesting piece on Iranian cinema!
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JAFFAR Aug 31, 2020 12:37pm
... but the Indian cinema is still missed
Recommend
Waqar Ahmed Aug 31, 2020 12:51pm
Wow! I got the goosebumps while watching the trailers.
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struggle Aug 31, 2020 12:52pm
Beautifully expressed. The article should have covered and generously acknowledged backhand support to such topics by the revolutionary leadership. Though regime is marked as theocratic but amazingly they are liberal in predefined parameters. I happened to watch cinema in Mashad, way back 2004. What surprised me that we were only 2 people seated in a cinema hall. Yet show ran on time as usual. It proved cinema is patronised by the government in terms of remission in taxes and utilities. This is quite commendable... And, how remarkably the nation has faced hostile forces inside and outside country that too needs to be recognised....
Recommend
kp Aug 31, 2020 01:35pm
No they dont show whats happening over there, I visited and found completely different, Poor People suffering by all means.
Recommend
saqib Aug 31, 2020 01:59pm
I wish these were available in urdu dubbing instead of lame turkish soap serials. Would be a great family watch .
Recommend
Aku Aug 31, 2020 03:07pm
Have seen a few Iranian movies, they are super. A good lesson for our movie makers who hide behind censor board for lack of substance instead of focusing on quality.
Recommend
Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Aug 31, 2020 03:32pm
No doubt, the Islamic Republic of Iran is an emerging super-power in the Middle East, which historically speaking, has never attacked, invaded, occupied, held, abused and annexed any other country including its neighbors since last five thousand years of its glittering and shinning history.
Recommend
Ali Mehdi Aug 31, 2020 04:04pm
I’m a great fan of Iranian movies and serials. Within the strict parameters they have been able to make some of the best movies I’ve seen so far. The serial named Shehrzad is a very beautiful work. Shehab Hussaini and taraneh Alidost are two highly accomplished actors. I know Farsi but those that don’t can use the English subtitles to understand the dialogue. Once you view these movies they surely bring to a higher level of peace and sanity. You would get the feeling that you have learnt something about the civilized world.
Recommend
well-wisher Aug 31, 2020 06:48pm
Brilliant glimpse into Iranian films and producers, actors and supporters. A must watch list. Thank you.
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Rajab Aug 31, 2020 06:52pm
There is a lot, our drama and film industry can learn how to produce good quality product without glamour
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Dr Arun Kumar Das Aug 31, 2020 11:06pm
very nice
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struggle Sep 01, 2020 01:15am
Beautifully expressed. The article should have covered and generously acknowledged backhand support to such topics by the revolutionary leadership. Though regime is marked as theocratic but amazingly they are liberal in predefined parameters. I happened to watch cinema in Mashad, way back 2004. What surprised me that we were only 2 people seated in a cinema hall. Yet show ran on time as usual. It proved cinema is patronised by the government in terms of remission in taxes and utilities. This is quite commendable... And, how remarkably the nation has faced hostile forces inside and outside country that too needs to be recognised....
Recommend
Anon Sep 01, 2020 01:37am
We need Irani films in Pakistan.
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Agha ali Sep 01, 2020 06:03am
While the author has made an appreciable effort, it is unfortunate that her piece suffers from self censorship imposed upon it by the narrow ideological confines of a so-called "liberal" or "progressive" mindset. As such, immensely popular stalwarts of contemporary Iranian cinema such as the oscar nominated Majeed Majeedi, the legendary late director Farajollah Salahshoor, the master of historical cinema Davood Mir-Bagheri and the versatile Ebrahim Hatamikia fail to win a mention in this article, simply because their work represents and celebrates the grassroots ideals and deeply religious culture that an overwhelming majority of Iranians hold dear. Nevertheless, many congratulations to the author for bringing up a topic that truly deserves the attention of any person who loves the Seventh Art.
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ivehadit Sep 01, 2020 07:16am
Doing what Dawn does best. Thank you.
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Ahmar Qureshi Sep 01, 2020 11:53am
I have a positive envisage of Iranian cinema to be depicted here in Pakistan with Urdu translation sooner - and that will be a treat to watch!
Recommend
struggle Sep 01, 2020 01:12pm
Beautifully expressed. The article should have covered and generously acknowledged backhand support to such topics by the revolutionary leadership. Though regime is marked as theocratic but amazingly they are liberal in predefined parameters. I happened to watch cinema in Mashad, way back 2004. What surprised me that we were only 2 people seated in a cinema hall. Yet show ran on time as usual. It proved cinema is patronised by the government in terms of remission in taxes and utilities. This is quite commendable... And, how remarkably the nation has faced hostile forces inside and outside country that too needs to be recognised....
Recommend
struggle Sep 01, 2020 05:36pm
Beautifully expressed. The article should have covered and generously acknowledged backhand support to such topics by the revolutionary leadership. Though regime is marked as theocratic but amazingly they are liberal in predefined parameters. I happened to watch cinema in Mashad, way back 2004. What surprised me that we were only 2 people seated in a cinema hall. Yet show ran on time as usual. It proved cinema is patronised by the government in terms of remission in taxes and utilities.
Recommend
Ibn e batuta Sep 02, 2020 04:21pm
"In these confined times if we are fortunate enough to toggle between boredom and gratitude while people around us face crippling hunger and harrowing deaths, let us take a moment to recognize our privilege and through these viewings work on strengthening that often underdeveloped emotion — empathy." Well said and quite thoughtful of you to include it in your piece
Recommend