Taze nafasha (The Newborns)
Kianoush Ayari, IR 1979Screenplay: Kianoush Ayari; Cinematography: Kianoush Ayari, Manouchehr Moshiri, Vanoosh Vartanian; Editing: Kianoush Ayari. DCP (from 16mm), color, 44 min. Persian with English subtitles
The Iranian revolution of 1979 overthrew the Shah and introduced a new regime, still known as the Islamic Republic. In the first months after the revolution, the streets of Iran were flooded with crowds that wanted to discuss possible post-revolutionary futures. In this period, Kianoush Ayari picked up his 16mm camera and set out on the streets of Tehran to record the democratic spirit of the revolution in its early days. He recorded scenes depicting various factions that were involved in the revolution, thus creating a rare document of this historic moment. Iranian national television, which produced the film, disliked Ayari's inclusive approach and halted post-production before Ayari could add his narration to the film. Years later, Ayari discovered the unfinished print of his film and released it digitally in order to share the spirit of aborted utopian freedom. (T.A.)
Introduction and talk with Philip Widmann and Tara Najd Ahmadi in English
Screening dates:
