International premiere
Reading Lolita in Tehran
A fearless tale of women who defy oppression, finding solidarity in the face of tyranny.
In post-revolution Iran, where women’s rights and freedoms were suppressed, Azar, a bold and inspired teacher, clandestinely gathered seven of her most committed female students to read forbidden Western classics. Despite the grave dangers posed by morality squads and fundamentalists, these women risked everything to find a safe space in Nafisi’s living room where they could speak their minds. As they explore each literary work, the teacher and her students dive deep into their shared social being on the most genuine note. This is a story of bravery, defiance, and the endearing power of literature in the face of oppression.
Starring Golshifteh Farahani (“Pirates of the Caribbean”) and Palme d'Or winner Zar Amir Ebrahimi (“Holy Spider”), “Reading Lolita in Teheran” is a gripping adaptation of Azar Nafisi’s bestselling memoir. It captures the unbreakable spirit of women defying censorship, tyranny, and injustice as they find strength in a world determined to silence them.
Milani Perera
Eran Riklis (1954) graduated in 1984 as the first Israeli from the prestigious British National Film and Television School. His second film, “Cup Final” (1991), which deals with football and war, brought him international recognition. From then on, his films have frequently been showcased at the world’s leading film festivals, including Cannes and Berlin. Among the works of this top Israeli director are acclaimed films such as the tragicomedy “The Syrian Bride” (2004), the allegorical “Lemon Tree” (PÖFF 2008), and “Dancing Arabs” (PÖFF 2014), which explores ethnic relations. Riklis’s spy drama “Spider in the Web” (2019) was produced through a significant international collaboration, with Ben Kingsley and Monica Bellucci starring in the lead roles.
Tzomet volkan (Volcano Junction, 1999), Pituy (2002), The Syrian Bride (2004), Etz Limon (Sidrunipuu, PÖFF 2008), The Human Resources Manager (2010), Playoff (2011), Zaytoun (2012), Aravim rokdim (Tantsivad araablased, PÖFF 2014), Shelter (2017), Reading Lolita in Tehran (2024)
