Country Focus 3 Made in Iran

Politics play a significant role for Iranian film directors. However, instead of engaging in propagandistic or underground films, some young directors opt to choose official dramatic fiction films to express their ideas. Despite the constraints of censorship, such as the prohibition of any erotic scenes, they manage to create a new aesthetic which is well-respected around the world and receives attention at international festivals. Abbas Kiarostami and Asghar Farhadi are two personalities whose films have won many awards and are held in high regard. For these filmmakers, the artistic aesthetic itself is more important than political conflicts. However, social issues are often implemented symbolically in the films. Many young students who want to stay creative but do not want to play a role in political conflicts, try to produce films with simple, universal themes such as family, childhood, and youth. By using an ambiguous cinematic language, they are able to cautiously challenge censorship and the boundaries it sets. This screening provides an insight into Iranian film culture and what’s between underground and propaganda.