Film Screening
Short Film Programme

Tue, 07.02.2023
7:00 PM ACUDkino

Curatorial statement

Western media, mainly with an “orientalist” vision, often portrays Iranian women as submissive or lastly brave, but these images are very often caricatured, simplistic or exaggerated and do not accurately represent the situation.
This program of short films, directed by Iranian women, aims to challenge stereotypes and showcase a more nuanced and complex view of the Iranian society. It presents honest perspectives on the multifaceted and universal experience of being a woman. Through animation, documentary, and fiction, these films delve into the internal discussions and challenges of modern life, providing insight into Iranian society and beyond.

Ghasideh Golmakani

The screening will be followed by a film discussion with Ghasideh Golmakani, curator of the short film programme and director.

HORN 
Director/Writer/ Producer: Ghasideh Golmakani,
8 min, Iran, Fiction, 2018 
 
An Iranian lady tries to find a place to park her car in Tehran to be on time for a business appointment. Men on the streets disturb her concentration while she is driving, but she ends up finding a way to confront them... 

IT WAS MY CITY 
Director/writer/producer: Tina Pakravan 
8 min, Iran, Fiction, 2012 
  
People are living their lives, catastrophe strikes, it’s war... 

LEFT OVER 
Director: Yasaman Hasani 
4 min, Iran, Animation, 2018

LeftOver is a poetic journey of the filmmaker Yasaman Hasani, who shifted between two worlds: East and West. Having grown up in post-revolutionary Iran, she has lived in Austria for many years. In an experimental arrangement made up of two parts of her childhood and adulthood, she offers the audience insight into her personal experiences of gender-specific stereotypes in these cultures. 

LET THE PAST GO BY 
Director: Maryam Naraghi 
21 min, Iran, Spielfilm, 2016

Unlike her father, Bahar hasn’t yet overcome the tragedy of her younger brother’s death. When his killer is released from jail, she tries to make him suffer emotionally. Her endeavors result in a change in her perspective.

MOMENTS AND FOREVER 
Director: Yasaman Hasani 
2 min, Iran, Animation, 2019

A woman is struggling for her freedom and identity. Dancing through the whispering men’s silhouette, she resiliently keeps going her way.

PERSONAL
Director: Sonia K. Hadad
13 min, Iran, Fiction, 2016

A Tehranian underground model's nude photos are released in a Parisian magazine without her permission. After she realizes, she starts looking for the photographer, who has taken and sent the pictures. She thinks she will be in trouble if the photos spread all over the Internet.  

TAXI IS HERE
Director: Sara Aghababayan
14 min, Iran, Fiction, 2019

A mysterious woman decides to share a secret with a taxi driver, who seems familiar to her, so she invites him to her home. 

THE TOASTER I USED TO LIVE IN
Director: Rojin Shafiei
I7 min, Iran, Fiction, 2016

Four Iranian girls, with the same age express their opinion about having extramarital sex.