The Politics of Iranian Cinema: Films and Society in the Islamic Republic

Iran has undergone considerable social and political upheaval since the revolution and this has been reflected in its cinema. Focusing on the practices of regulation, production and reception of films in Iran, this book explores the politics of Iranian cinema in its post-revolutionary context.Drawing on first-hand interviews and detailed ethnographical research, the author examines controversial social and political debates surrounding social-justice, the role of the clergy, women's issues and the aftermath of the Iran-Iraq war. Exploring the international prominence of Iranian cinema, the book shows how the international acclaim has been instrumental in filmmakers' engagement with such issues. The book also looks at the ideological controls on Iranian cinema, how these are resisted and the wider political and social significance of cinema in Iran, arguing against the accepted views about film censorship in Iran.The book will be a valuable tool for courses on film and media studies, and will provide a significant insight into Iranian cinema for students of cultural studies and anthropology, Middle Eastern and Iranian studies.Zeydabadi-Nejad, Saeed is the author of 'The Politics of Iranian Cinema: Films and Society in the Islamic Republic' with ISBN 9780415455374 and ISBN 0415455375.