Synopsis

In the event of a violent riot in a women's prison in Tehran, Tahereh is sent by the authorities to suppress the revolt.

She manages to crush the riot through harshness and she comes across a young girl, Mitra, who has been given a life sentence for killing her stepfather.

As time goes by, Tahere's dogmatic view and attitude towards the prisoners changes and she actually becomes involved in releasing Mitra, her archenemy.



The story of the movie is based in course of two decades and these two women are thrown together through contempt, hatred and even harmony.

The film is based on actual facts, lightening up the various crimes such as addiction, prostitution and theft brought on the prisoners by the vindictive society.

Cast: Roya Nonahali, Golab Adineh, Pegah Ahangarani, Maryam Boubani, Roya Teymourian


Director's view:

I always thought that a prison is a small version of society with many of the characteristics of the society it is among and that it can reflect the economic, social and political situation of that particular society.

As I was able to establish a closer relationship with female prisoners for my research, and as the women in Iranian prisons tolerate harsher conditions than men, the preliminary idea to make Zendan-e Zanan took shape. (Manijeh Hekmat)