Our Times | Roozegar-e Ma (documentary) (2002)

Synopsis

Roozegar-e Ma (2002) [shown in the US as Our Times], is a documentary by Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, an extraordinary Iranian female director.

Rakhshan Bani Etemad's documentary on the re-election of President Mohammad Khatami focuses on the numerous women candidates who put their name into the pool of 2002 presidential hopefuls.



This movie gives us what appears to be an extremely honest view of two particular lives that inform us about Iranian culture, politics, and gender inequality. It's not an uplifting film, but it's definitely worth seeking out and watching. -- IMDb

Cast: Pegah Ahangarani, Arezu Bayat, Alireza Davoudnejad, Ehsan Delaviz, Baran Kosari, Tala Porbaha, Milad Sadrameli

A fascinating documentary from Rakshan Bani-Etemad (The May Lady), the most outspoken and respected female director working in Iran today. Bani-Etemad's film focuses on the Iranian elections of 2002 and the role of women in Iranian society. The filmmaker follows a group of women who run for office and gradually narrows her view to the plight of one woman who attempts an heroic but unsuccessful run for the presidency. "An unforgettable picture of women in today's Iran" (Variety)

*****

Rakhshan Bani-Etemad decides to capture images of people involved in the presidential elections of 2001 in Iran. She follows some young cinema actors and artists, including her young daughter, who with lots of hopes and desires for future have started a campaign for Khatami.

Meeting some of 48 female presidency nominees whose candidacies have been refused by the government, director is deeply attracted by the character of a 25-year-old widow named Arezoo Bayat, who, despite carrying the heavy burden on her shoulders, wishes to fight not only for a better life for herself, her 9-year-old daughter and blind mother but also for all of Iranian.

Afterwards, Rakhshan forgets the main atmosphere of that time and joins Arezoo who has to leave her small home finding another shelter in Tehran, and it’s where we find ourselves beside Arezoo and her problems. --Mubi

Read about this film