Film and Protest: Perspectives from Iran

Under the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom," a movement emerged in Iran in 2022 that has profoundly transformed the country and garnered worldwide attention. The protests against the Iranian regime, sparked by the death of young Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini in police custody on September 16, 2022, went far beyond previous demonstrations of recent years. Through these protests, Iranians expressed their deep desire for freedom, equality, and democracy. The movement was largely driven by women, young people, activists, and cultural creators who courageously stood against the repressive regime of the Islamic Republic. Although the street protests have subsided under the pressure of state violence, the movement remains a powerful symbol of the desire for change and the enduring strength of resistance, which continues to shape Iranian society today.
In this context, the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Iranian Film Festival "Visions of Iran" invite you to a special evening of film and discussion that will shed light on the current social and political developments and challenges in Iran. Through film and dialogue, we aim to capture the dynamics of change in Iran, with a particular focus on the perspectives of women and minorities.
The evening begins with the documentary "Impasse" by Bahman Kiarostami and Rahmaneh Rabani. The film follows Rahmaneh, who comes from a deeply religious family, during the Woman-Life-Freedom protests. With sensitivity, the film explores the conflict between personal beliefs, family ties, and the desire for change in a society marked by repression and cultural tensions. "Impasse" premiered at the prestigious documentary film festival HotDocs.
Following the main film, selected short films from Iran will be presented, highlighting various aspects of societal life in the country. These films address challenges of daily life, tensions between tradition and change, the role of art and culture in resistance, and questions of gender justice.
To conclude the evening, we will host a panel discussion with the director of "Impasse" and other experts from the fields of art, culture, academia, and media to discuss the current developments in Iran. What spaces remain for critical films and art? What role do art and culture play in protest and societal resistance against the regime? What processes of change have emerged since the beginning of the Woman-Life-Freedom movement? What challenges do activists and civil society face? What role do women and representatives of minorities play in the protest movement and ongoing acts of civil disobedience? These and other questions will be discussed with our guests and the audience.
 

With:

• Rahmaneh Rabani, Director of "Impasse"
• Sanaz Azimipour, writer, activist and co-founder of Women Life Freedom Collective Berlin
• Amin Farzanefar, Director of Iranian Film Festival Cologne

Language:
Film: Farsi with English subtitles / Discussion: English and German

In cooperation with: Iranian Film Festival Cologne "Visions of Iran"
 

Venue:
Kino in der KulturBrauerei
Schönhauser Allee 36
10435 Berlin

Participation Fee:
Admission is free. Participation can only be guaranteed upon successful registration.

For more information:
Bauke Baumann
Senior programme officer for Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Iran
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
E: baumann@boell.de