Farsi/Persian

The Beauty Academy of Kabul
Region 1 (NTSC) DVD
Liz Mermin (2004)
In this documentary, American women set-up a beautician school for Afghan women in post-Taliban Kabul. Under the common pursuit of physical beauty, this film offers touching scenes of female solidarity. It also shows moments of culture clash between the Americans and Afghans.
In English & Farsi with on-screen English subtitles
1 hour 14 minutes

Close-up (Nema-ye Nazdik)
Region 1 (NTSC) DVD
Abbas Kiarostami (1990)
A pseudo-documentary that investigates how mass media, creative expression, and art forms affect humanity’s outlook on existence and purpose.
In Farsi with optional English subtitles
1 hour 38 minutes

The Day I Became a Woman (Roozi ke zan shodam)
Region 1 (NTSC) DVD
Marziyeh Meshkini (2000)
Explores social constructions and gender norms that pervade Iranian society. This film tells the story of three women in different stages of life struggling to find their true identity.
In Farsi with on-screen English subtitles
1 hour 18 minutes

My Tehran for Sale
Region 1 (NTSC) DVD
Granaz Moussavi (2009)
Marzieh is a young actress in Tehran. Due to her culture and environment, Marzieh cannot express herself fully. One night she meets an Australian man at a rave, and he promises her a way out of her country so she can pursue her dreams. They get married to make Marzieh’s dream come true, but marital complications shortly arise, placing her in a difficult place.
In Farsi & English with on-screen English subtitles
1 hour 35 minutes