Iranian women film maker

  

Ziba Mir-Hosseini is a social anthropologist.  She lived in England. She is the voice of the new Iranian generation, especially democracy and women.  Between 1996 and 1998 Ziba Mir-Hosseini co-directed a documentary film called ‘‘Divorce in Iranian Style” with Kim Longinotto. Kim Longinotto is a British documentary film maker, well known for making films which draw attention to the predicament of female victims of subjugation or discrimination, such as Shinjuku Boys. Divorce Iranian Style is set in a small courtroom in central Tehran and follows three cases in a family courtroom. There are four main characters: Massy, who wants to divorce her inadequate husband; Ziba, an outspoken 16-year-old who proudly stands up to her 38-year-old husband and his family; Jamileh, who brings her husband to court to teach him a lesson; and Maryam, remarried and desperate to regain custody of her two daughters. For Ziba and Kim the production of Divorce in Iranian Style wasn’t an easy experience of filmmaking. Kim had always wanted make a film in Iran for some reason she never attempted to do so; however this was about to change when she met Ziba.  When Ziba met Kim she discussed some research she has done in Tehran family court room and that is when everything started. That was the beginning of “Divorce in Iran Style”. Not without course, hustle, and more. They seek for financial support by applying to British TV. They also applied to Iranian officials for access and permission to film. Kim on the other hand didn’t have a visa. Getting access to enter Iran weren’t the only challenges they faced; it was also the subject of the film. In March 1996, they submitted an application to shoot the film to the Iranian Embassy in London. In October 1996, Ziba and Kim found out that their application was rejected. Nonetheless, they didn’t stop looking for answers.

In December, the same year Channel 4 TV was preparing to work with them. Channel4 TV also known for making reality film. There was one thing Kim might not have realized, the more details she gave about the film less likely she would receive get approval by Iranian authorities. She even talked to all kinds of people from independent filmmakers to officials in television, the Ministry of Guidance, and women's organizations; nevertheless, none of them were ok with the theme. Ziba tried really hard to convince them about the purpose of the film by bringing all types of examples, such as images and words. She said that she can evoke different feelings in different cultures. It seemed after all that the Ministry of Guidance would be convinced. They told Ziba and Kim to submit a fresh application through the Embassy in London. They did and also looked for approval from Ministry of Justice. They returned to London and were hoping to receive their official permit but they never heard anything back from the Ministry of Guidance. They decided to submit another application. Three weeks later Kim received her visa and the crew, equipments were ready for the film. However, there was not yet a courtroom chosen to shoot. Ministry of Guidance wanted them to film in different courts headed by both civil and religious judges. The Ministry of Guidance wanted them show all sides of Iran. But that wasn’t the plan for Ziba and Kim to film every court room. They wanted to focus on characters and develop storylines, not a ‘sociological survey on film’. After everything was said and done, they had gotten to the bottom of the issue with officials. They found one of the largest of Imam Khomeini Judicial Complex located in Tehran contain thirty three general Courts; they were introduced to two judges that handle family disputes.  Furthermore, both judges agreed to allow the filming in their court rooms. They filmed for four weeks between November to December. Among 17 cases they only put 4 of the cases on the big screen. This film can be related to anyone or any culture; it showed how hard and painful marriage and divorce can be. The film tried to show inside Tehran law court. Furthermore, it showed despite unfairness Iran women have to face they are strong enough and capable of defending themselves through difficult situation.

Written by student: Donald