Shahed

Nader Saeivar’s SHAHED makes a powerful statement about the value of resilience, dignity and integrity in contemporary Iranian society. The narrative revolves around the woman protagonist’s unwavering sense of justice, blending personal tragedy with a biting political stance. The opening scene is a 360-degree shot reminiscent of the work of co-screenwriter and editor Jafar Panahi that depicts a dance performance: some elderly women watch a group of female dancers gracefully performing on a bright white stage. Three generations of Iranian women are happily united here in a last moment of openness and light: Tarlan, the oldest, a teacher and social activist, strikingly embodied by Maryam Boubani; Zara, her foster daughter, a married dance teacher; and Zara’s teenage daughter Ghazal. When Tarlan witnesses a fatal episode of domestic abuse, the authorities crush her tenacious pursuit of justice against an influential official. The film’s gripping plot unfolds in settings that appear dim and oppressive even in daylight, reflecting a terrifying, male-dominated sociopolitical system in which women seem hopelessly trapped. However, Gazal’s calmly defiant dance at the end feels like a dazzling ray of hope for the country’s future. (Maria Giovanna Vagenas)

In the presence of Nader Saeivar and Arash T. Riahi (producer). 

Nader Saeivar: DOOMAN (2016, KO-REGIE), NAMO (2020), NO END (2022)