Narratives of Resistance Through the Language of Cinema

Narratives of Resistance Through the Language of Cinema

Although global media often portray Iranian cinema and artists primarily through the lens of a few individuals protesting domestic policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this image is incomplete and misleading. In reality, many Iranian artists hold deep Islamic beliefs and anti-imperialist sentiments, which are clearly reflected in their artistic works.

From short films like Before Heaven and The Guardian, which address the inhumane actions of the Zionist regime and terrorist operations against the Iranian people—and have been successfully featured in international festivals—to full-length feature films that explore Iran’s contemporary history after the 1979 revolution. Works such as The Girls’ Squad, Ahmad, Western Sky, Kianoush’s Garden, and Maslahat all depict stories from the early years following the revolution, starring top Iranian actors.

The Islamic Revolution Art Bureau has consistently supported and produced such films, which have been warmly received by Iranian audiences and have achieved notable success in global film festivals.