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Iran's Hidden Histories: A Director's Quest
11 Nov
Summary
- Filmmaker uncovered a photo with a face scratched out, revealing a dark family history.
- Documentary won awards at Cannes, Woodstock, and Montclair Film Festivals.
- The film aims to ensure forgotten faces of Iran's history are remembered.
Filmmaker Pegah Ahangarani's award-winning documentary, 'Rehearsals for a Revolution,' originated from a poignant discovery in Iran. While visiting her grandmother, Ahangarani found a photograph where her father's best friend's face had been deliberately scratched out. Her grandmother explained he was executed after the revolution for being a political prisoner, a story reflecting widespread repression.
The deeply personal film explores the experiences of Ahangarani's father, uncle, and others close to her as the theocratic regime consolidated power after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Ahangarani views her directorial mission as preserving the memory of those whose faces have been physically removed from Iran's history.
Premiering at Cannes, 'Rehearsals for a Revolution' secured the l'Oeil d'or prize and has since won best documentary accolades at the Woodstock and Montclair Film Festivals. It was also recognized by the IDA Documentary Awards and DOC NYC, and is the UK's submission for the 2027 International Feature Film Oscar race. Ahangarani also discussed the film's extensive editing process and her views on foreign policy towards Iran.
This exploration into Iran's past and its revolutionary fervor, which ultimately led to significant repression, is available on the latest Doc Talk podcast episode.
