How did Iran’s contemporary reality emerge? And how can cinema act as a medium through which history is expressed, remembered, and at times challenged?

In this course, we will explore Iran’s modern history and use film as a lens to understand how political events, foreign intervention, and social change have shaped the country we see today.

Throughout the week, we will cover:
• Iran’s cultural and historical foundations before the 20th century
• Oil nationalisation and the leadership of Mohammad Mosaddegh
• The 1953 coup and foreign intervention by the US and UK
• The rule and modernisation of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi
• The 1979 Revolution and the rise of Ruhollah Khomeini
• Post-revolutionary Iran: politics and society

We will then turn to the films of influential Iranian directors, such as Abbas Kiarostami, Jafar Panahi, Asghar Farhadi, and Marjane Satrapi. Through excerpts, discussion, and interpretation, we will examine how filmmakers use symbolism, minimalism, and open-ended storytelling to navigate censorship and reflect social and political landscapes.

By the end of the course, you will have a solid understanding of Iran’s modern culture and history, its cinematic tradition, and how art can communicate under constraint.

The course is open to all interested in the topic, with no prior knowledge required.