Iranian Cinema: History, Aesthetics, and Politics

Iranian cinema presents a striking paradox: while Iranians are often demonized globally, their films have garnered international acclaim for moral depth and humanistic vision. Drawing on Persian poetry, Sufism, and Islamic philosophy – while also influenced by modern movements like Italian neorealism and the French New Wave – Iranian cinema stands out for its sophistication and artistic originality. This course surveys its evolution from the 1960s to today, examining how major cultural and political events, from the 1979 Revolution to the Woman, Life, Freedom uprisings (2022–2023), have shaped cinematic expression. Students will explore themes of censorship, gender relations, sexualities, intimacy, love, and friendship, analyzing how filmmakers navigate moral and political constraints to create profound works of art. All films are subtitled; no knowledge of Persian required.