Reyhaneh Jabbari was sentenced to death in 2007 for stabbing the perpetrator in self-defense during an attempted rape. Seven years later, the sentence was carried out. Steffi Niederzoll reconstructs the tragic case of the 19-year-old on the basis of video recordings, statements and memories of relatives and fellow prisoners,.
Visions of Iran 2023
Iranian Film Festival Cologne – 9. to 11.6.2023 at Filmforum NRW, Museum Ludwig
For ten years, the Iranian Film Festival has been providing new and unusual insights into the isolated country. The 2023 edition is themed around “Woman, Life, Freedom” – at a time when protests by the Iranian people are being put down amid massive human rights violations, including murders and executions.
Because of the sad and horrific events in Iran since the assassination of Mahsa Jina Amini, we have long considered the appropriateness of hosting an Iranian film festival in 2023. Since 2014, “Visions of Iran” has been showing Iranian everyday life, realities and cinematic worlds away from the political conditions and the respective headlines. In addition to the burning economic, social and environmental problems, this also includes the cultural richness and ethnic diversity of the country, as well as the beauty and courage, the concerns and dreams of its people.
Ultimately, even in these dark times, we do not want to miss the opportunity to offer our audience an opportunity for commemoration and a forum for exchange and discussion.
Not all the selected films are directly related to the protests, yes: they are not all sad either – some give a comforting light and give a smile – but they have all been chosen in respectful and honorable memory of the victims and their families.
