Docunight presents two documentaries as part of our Double Feature: Working Women.
The documentaries highlight the realities of women’s involvement in Iranian society and their determination to break free from social restrictions. They do so by portraying examples of strong, independent female characters that work hard to attain the high standards of achievement that will allow them to work alongside men.
Don’t forget to check out our last week’s release, A Brief Peace by Ata Hayati. Please scroll down for more information.
ناخوانده در تهران Directed by Mina Keshavarz • 2011 • Iran
Unwelcome in Tehran traces the lives of girls nationwide who move to Tehran, Iran’s capital, in order to start a life free from restrictions and their families’ control. The main focus of the film is on the life of the director herself, who is from Shiraz and got married in order to move to Tehran. However, she struggles with the dullness of married life and tries to find her independence within the chaos of a society that has a difficult time accepting that women and girls may live independently and freely.
Directed by Maysoon Pachachi • 2000 • Germany/Iran/United Kingdom
Iranian Journey is a powerful work about the courage of a female long-distance bus driver. The first female bus driver in the Middle East, Ma’soomeh engages with the patriarchal society in a way that reflects her clever and blunt character. The film’s wonderful story and richness are exceedingly impressive. Boldly engaging and unapologetically feminist, this documentary succeeds in showcasing the strength of the protagonist and the will of a woman, and in doing so, it debunks the stereotype of the passive Iranian woman.
A Brief Peace is a tragic documentary comprised of a collection of sorrowful moments that occur at a special cemetery. The mourners found here were only recently able to identify their disappeared relatives. The film sheds light on the culture of death, showing how corpses are wrapped in shrouds and how the mourners mourn while making arrangements for their loved ones to be buried.
