Women in Iran: Short Films, December, 11.–13., 2020

Finally, the Iranian Film Festival in Cologne offers a special highlight.

“While one could count the number of women directors under the Shah on one hand, the Iranian Women’s Film Festival currently names around 1400 active Iranian animation, documentary, experimental and feature film makers worldwide. The desire for expression, the fight against oppression and the need to convey a message are reasons for this growth. But why are male filmmakers still more present? How can an Iranian woman assert her existence when it is constantly questioned? How can she resolve everyday contradictions – and rise up in a labyrinth of restrictions? Two short film programs illuminate some of these questions from the perspective of women.” (Ghasideh Golmakani)

Cinema is in a sense the “national art” of Iran, and it pushes the new generation behind and in front of the camera. Despite the comparatively difficult production conditions, hundreds of short films are made every year. Filmmaker Ghasideh Golmakani has put together two current short film programs by women directors that demonstrate an exuberant creative diversity.

Women in Iran: Short Films #1

Exam (15”), Absent Wound (10”) The Visit (14”), Grandad was a Romantic (5”), The Role (15”), The Toaster I Used to Live in (7”), Tangle (7”)

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Biography: Ghasideh Golmakani

Ghasideh Golmakani comes from a family of artists and journalists. At 18 she went to Paris to study art history and cultural studies at the Sorbonne. After her return to Iran, she began making films. In 2019 her book about Ali Abbassi, a major pre-revolutionary film producer, was published. Golmakani works – also internationally – as a film curator. In her films, she mainly deals with taboos in traditional Iran, such as child abuse, harassment in public places or the daily violence against women.

On Sunday afternoon (13.12) 16:00 there will be a live talk with Ghasideh Golmakani and other filmmakers. Address: https://www.facebook.com/iranisches.filmfestival