Mothers of Iran
Ten mothers
Even though the world has witnessed the human rights violations during the attempt of the Iranian people to have a green revolution after the presidential elections of 2009, not much has changed in Iran. There is still an urgent need for change for the better with regards to the oppressive regime and its complete disregard for basic human rights for all Iranians; the young, old, men and women.
It is the women of Iran I will focus on in this concept for a programme entitled Mothers of Iran. I have chosen this topic out of a belief in the power of women to make a change in society for the better – be that very needed change, or be it just a small, almost insignificant change. We are brought up by women, and yet the world often treds on them because they are women. The very immediate power and influence of women to bring up our children and give guidance to those who will be shaping the future are often unseen or denied.
In Iran, artists are faced with great challenges creating their work. Filmmakers for example need permission to shoot their film. Obviously, if the film seems critical of the current government in the slightest way, it is not possible at all to obtain such a permission. Hence, many filmmakers operate underground, taking great risks to show their films to the world.
Through this conceptual programme, which offers a focus on Iranian mothers in the broadest metaphorical sense of the word, I wish to show you the strength of the Iranian people, and the strength of the Iranian mothers in particular. It is a tribute to all brave Iranians who overcome difficult challenges to live a life that we often take for granted as we live it, meanwhile forgetting about what goes on in other countries to similar people.
With these ten films, I want to challenge the viewers of Mothers of Iran to reconsider, rethink, re-evaluate what they are seeing on the screen. Are these mothers you recognize? Could one of these women be your mother? Did you ever find yourself in these situations?
I think some of these women could very well be my mother. But that might not be the same for all of you. Hence, I have chosen ten films, so you may each pick a mother and try to envision yourself in her situation. The films I have chosen show the versatile roles Iranian women play in their society; from trying to be a singer in a band to trying to bring up your child under an oppressive government; nothing is quite what you would expect of it.
It is of vital importance to this conceptual programme and the understanding of it that I point out to you, the reader, that it is my belief that all of these films have been made out of a deep respect for the country of Iran, Iranian culture and the Iranian people from the starting point.
Lastly, I also have something to say to all men who are reading this. Obviously, my programme is also saying something for and about men. The absence of men. It talks about the need for men, and especially the role of men in Iranian contemporary society. As an outsider who has never had the opportunity to visit Iran, but has met many Iranians in her life and has grown a deep respect for and appreciation of Iranian culture and people, I wish to reassure you all that this programme has been created to honour allIranian people – for, as the films will show you, everyone can be a mother, you definitely do not have to necessarily be a woman for that.
Ten films
No One Knows About Persian Cats by Bahman Ghobadi, 2009, 106 minutes, – view trailer
Women Without Men, Shirin Neshat, 2009, 95 minutes – view trailer
Persepolis by Vincent Paronnaud, 2007, 95 minutes – view trailer
Wind and Fog (Bad Oh Meh) by Mohammad Ali Talebi, 2011, 74 minutes – trailer TBA
The Birthday by Negin Kianfar, 2006, 72 minutes – view website
Divorce Iranian Style by Kim Longinotto, 1998, 80 minutes – view trailer
Women in Shroud (Before the Flood II) by Farid Haerinejad and Mohammad Reza Kazemi, 2009, 73 minutes – view YouTube video
The Green Wave by Ali Samadi Ahadi, 2010, 80 minutes– view trailer
Nader and Simin: a Separation (Jodaeiye Nader az Simin) by Asghar Farhadi, 2011– trailer TBA
Rainy Seasons, by Majid Barzegar, 2011, 86 minutes – view International Film Festival Rotterdam 2011 Tiger Award Spotlight
Ten things you can do now to help create awareness of human rights violations in Iran
Write a letter to the Iranian embassy closest to you, write a letter to the UN, write a letter to the International Criminal Court, or support Amnesty International, support Human Rights Watch, support Iran Human Rights, support International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, support United 4 Iran – Netherlands, support Movies that Matter Foundation or simply promote this website: example tweet: Mothers of Iran – pick a mother, watch a film and support #Iran #HumanRights #MothersofIran http://bit.ly/gbu9bO
Want to know, do, see more?
For those of you who have read this and want to screen, view or use any or all of these films – please contact me directly by sending me an e-mail here, so I may help you find a possibility to do so. Or if you want to help me realize this project somewhere near you, just write to me and we’ll try to make it happen together. Please, specifiy your wish or plans as much as possible in terms of your preferred audience, location, venue, date.
Also, please, be advised that three of these films (The Green Wave, Women Without Men and Divorce Iranian Style) will be screened at the upcoming Movies that Matter Festival in The Hague between March 24-30, 2011.. For more information about times and dates, please, see www.moviesthatmatterfestival.nl or make a reservation to visit a screening directly at the box office of Filmhuis Den Haag: +31 (0)70-3459900.
My deep respect and thankfulness go out to Shadi Sadr, human rights advocate and lawyer in Iran. I was very happy and honoured to meet her during the 2010 edition of the Movies that Matter Festival. Thank you Shadi, for showing the way to everyone who has their eyes open.
There are 15 Comments to "Mothers of Iran"
It’s an interesting view on film. I think that mothers are very important for solving human rights problems and most films aswell. In many countries the startpoint for activism against human rights violations start with woman and mostly mothers aswell. They have a strong urge for what’s right and in most cases not tied to a govermental organization which is violating the rights.
And Iran the mothers can make a difference. They can step up and make theirselves being heard. Also for example with the green revolution it were mostly mothers who stood up (as can be seen in The Green Wave). In away you can see that in a lot of Iranian films mothers are very important.
Also I want to add Please Don’t Disturb as an interesting film for the list. Three different stories, and all with women as the most important ones, mostly mothers aswell.
Highlighting the achievements of mothers is important for many reasons. In masculinist / patriarchal societies the concept of and motherhood and is used to control or subordinate women. However, mothers are the ones responsible for the raising and nurturing of future generations. These women may not have high positions in companies, or working as ministers or leaders however the roles of these mothers are tantamount to the successes and failures of a society. This program is inspiring as it focuses on the sometimes-overlooked soft power that women have. Of course I think of the mothers who have played a role in my life and realize that while they are women from western democratic democracies their experiences, especially within the family and on a more personal level are much like the women in the above mentioned films.
How original to use this concept for a film-programme emphasizing the importance of improving human rights, those of women in particular. The essence is shown clearly by the ten films that are selected to contribute to the goal.
It is my strong belief, not based on any religion, that even when you are the last person in the world to stand for whatever point of view, one should never fail to hold to that thought. I’d like to consider filmmakers as guardians of the thought, hence, using their creations as a means of contribution to a better world, like in this film-programme, is an excellent initiative.
The choise to have Iranian films as part of the programme is challenging. How to safeguard a certain response with respect to the ‘future’ audience or unlikely event of resistance or protest?
Furthermore, will the programme attract a majority of, or solely women? To stimulate the need for equal human rights it is important that men as well are attracted by the programme-content.
Women, and therefore mothers, have always played an essential role in development of local areas and entire countries, and in the protection of human rights. What I really like about this project is the idea to bring the situations of the films very close to the viewer, with the question: ‘which of the mothers could be your own?’. It makes you think about who you would be and what you would do when you were living in Iran. I guess we can only hope we would be as brave as many of the women in the films.
My compliments. It would be nice to involve the love for cinema of the Iranian Shiri Ebadi in this context. As a Nobel Peace Prize winner in a way she a mother to all who cherish hope for change in Iran. Ánd she happens to be a cinema lover too.
Other people who state in their comments that women and mothers have often played important or even essential roles in the fight for fairness, safety, equality and justice are right of course. Partly because this is what mothers do; trying to realise those righteousnesses for their family. And since they’re the specialists they can also be the ones who strive for these values in society too. On the other hand though, since I guess safety is the first requirement, they can be rather conservative too. In order not to take any risks, not to endanger their children and family. Which reminds me to Jafar Panahi’s wonderful ‘The White Balloon’ (1995, screenplay by Abbas Kiarostami) about a young brother and sister desperately wanting to buy a goldfish on new years eve. There’s a scene when the mother refuses the girl to have a look in a courtyard where a crowd of men has gathered to watch snake charmers. And in the countless scenes in Iranian films in which women are told to wear their scarf (more properly) it’s just man correcting women, but often women correcting women.
Anyway, there’s much to say about this interesting topic. Good luck with it Marloes.
A few months ago, I saw the movie “No one knows about Persian cats” and was so intrigued by this movie. A person like me, really isn’t aware of the situation in Iran, and it was confronting seeing how little I knew about this country and its culture. After seeing this movie, I looked up more information online, and it felt like I had a little wake-up call.
I would love to see a program showing Iranian movies, and even though a program just about Iran is interesting in itself, the choice of focus is particularly interesting. It definitely sparked my interest (:
Good idea to combine films under the umbrella of such an important matter. Traditionally, the Iranian mother has a main role when it comes to her position in society, starting on the level of family.
It’s nice that in many of these films they’re also leading, as actresses. I think it might be interesting to see if you could add a shortfilm program, which you could combine with these feature films. For example, by showing a shortfilm before a longer film. Which makes the audience aware they’re watching these films in the context of a bigger matter.
Iranian women are both beautiful and strong. Unfortunately, in the modern-day Iran it seems like things are going backwards. The strength and beauty is hidden and needs to be unveiled. From the inside out, but also the other way around. A program such as yours creates awareness. Of both the beauty and the strength. And by showing these films within Iranian communities, you’d complete the circle, and strengthen the mothers through the silver screen and back.
Good luck on your plan. Beri
The importance of the concept ‘motherhood’ within a society is very well reflected in this program. Essential is the notion that the concept motherhood does not strictly relate to women, but to men as well and is in such essential to build and sustain a healthy society. The caring and protective qualities that stem from this motherhood is in such mandatory to reach and maintain a psychologically healthy living environment.
Equality is another term essential in this respect and mothers are still too often seen as people who uphold an inferior position in society. With that, the function of motherhood is way too easily brought down to a level on which it is being looked upon as something that comes natural, without specific effort – unrightfully so.
The main perpetrators in the current Iranian conflict seem to thrive on a strictly masculin argumentations. The powers that be – political and religious – consist strictly of male presence and form the main reason of conflict and with that the reason that the conflict seems to be stuck in an eternal status quo. The understanding of the term motherhood could provide an essential breakthrough in a country that seems so confused.
It is of the utmost importance that people have their eyes opened for one of the strongest forces that our living world possesses: motherhood. Care, protectivity, nurturing and equality form the basis for what is universally perceived as the foundations of a healthy society. Your program provides just this information which upon reading seems so apparent, yet it all too often overlooked. The inclusion of the role and importance of men in this program provide the necessary means to understand the complete picture and put things in perspective.
With that I would like to conclude that you have done an excellent and impressive job.
You made a beautiful selection of Iranian movies that address the importance of women and mothers and their change in society. As a lover of movies and Iranian culture, I definitely would go to your festival and watch the movies I didn’t seen already.
I think you have a very interesting point of view. Change in society could only happen by mothers and the empowerment of women. When mothers in less economic countries have work and more rights, they would make better decisions for their children and families than men would make. Women would save money for education, food and medicines for their children.
Please do remember there are two different realities in Iran. It’s a very schizophrenic country; legally women have no positions or importance at all, but in reality they fulfil a very important role in social and economic life. Every woman in Iran does. Every mother in the movies you selected makes their own contribution to society and they all should be embraced by their courage. Embrace the one who put their life in danger for big changes in the legal system, but also the ones who take small actions in social/economic life to better the positions of their families.
Hopefully your programme would be screened, because it would be a celebration to all these brave Iranian women.
This programme seems a challenging initiative to me. In times where it gets more clear then ever that social structures are vulnerable when respect for each other weakens, it’s a good thing that the shown programme offers a wide variety of perspectives that will alter this development.
Women in particular have the means, or better, can benefit their situation to create a solid basis for their children to spread the seed of understanding for the future.
I am curious to see what the actual films present. As Marloes stipulates correctly, Iran is not the most logical place to produce films that might improve the basic human rights in Iran itself, let alone in other areas of the world.
Therefore, creating an opportunity for us, westerns, to get a glimpse of an often misjudged eastern society is a great opportunity to widen our view.
And ‘glimpse’ in this perspective, with 10 films, is to be read as one of major size.
Well done Marloes!
The view and approach ‘from the other side’ looks very effective to get the idea accross. Mothers are like a silent army, even in Iran and they could make the difference in the end. Also a very interesting idea to make your audience aware of similarities and/or differences which they might recognize in Iranian mothers.
I also support your view that the power of women can make a change in society for the better.
Hence, this concept, with the emphasis on the female views, makes a lot of sense to me.
As an Iranian person who has lived in Iran for most of his life and has also experience living in a western society, I would also think that it’s a really interesting idea to show different perspectives of the lives of women in Iran through such a conceptual program. This brings us the opportunity to broaden the view of anyone that is accustomed only to mainstream media about the lives of women in Iran, and how they overcome their daily challenges; and that with all the differences between the current society in Iran and the western countries, you can observe many similar situations that women all around the world are struggling with in their daily life. This will help to bring awareness that the solution to these problems is not realized, except through a global collective act of all the people, no matter what their gender or where they are on the globe, and that human rights principles need to be applied to every individual’s life.
Let’s hope for some day that these concerns about women’s rights in Iran, and in general all around the world, become only a part of history.
Here I would like to conclude with a well-known poem from Saadi (Persian: سعدی), one of the major Persian poets, that is displayed in the entrance of the United Nations Hall of Nations:
“Human beings are members of a whole,
In creation of one essence and soul.
If one member is afflicted with pain,
Other members uneasy will remain.
If you have no sympathy for human pain,
The name of human you cannot retain.”
Good luck Marloes!
Of this program’s films I have only seen one before, but the premise of your connection between them is very compelling, and this introduction you have composed functions well I think as it both establishes a level of understanding of why these films are being presented, and compels the reader to see this premise demonstrated by viewing the films. It is I think I very good entry point to being exposed to the films.
I also like the vignette you have composed. It is simple but obviously very carefully chosen and it has an immediate resonance, connected as it is with the word “mothers”, and the images showing such emotional intensity. Also, your writing conveys both a sense of respect and of urgency, which are both necessary when approaching the subject of political and social issues in a culture that is not your own.
I have only seen Persepolis, and I preferred the book, but I look forward to seeking out these films, and to coming to see your future programming work!
It’s really interesting to see how you put your program together and I very much like the idea how you combine film screenings with activism by offering things anyone can do (such as petition writing). I do like the title, but I’d be interested to see how it plays out in actual screenings. You do talk about metaphorical mothers, but some films do not present any actual mothers (or only in the margins of the narrative). Do you use “mother” as a synonym for “woman”? I think this can work but I would consider it a bit risky… Still: great film selection and if anything I’d like to suggest one more title: Jafar Panahi’s “The Circle” which is not only a stunning piece of filmmaking but also an impressive protrayal of women’s lives in Iran today. Please continue and bring this wonderful concept to the screen(s)!
I was shocked after having seen The Green Wave at IDFA the last year. How this cruelty can continue to happen? And then Libya now… As a privileged European citizen I do not feel comfortable in watching these films. What did I do to deserve to live in a free country? These films should be showed during important and big events in order to reach many people, to sensitize and maybe stimulate them. I always felt so useless after watching these films or listening to the news. What can we do from our safe houses and cities? I am glad you proposed here some valid things that we can do to help to stop in some way the human rights violations in Iran. Furthermore I am curious about the other 8 films in the program which I do not know! I also really like the title: is strong and catchy. Thank you!