Over its 44-year history, the Fajr Film Festival has gone through different periods which, based on the documented record of this state-run festival, I divide into three main eras: 1) the era of enmity and camaraderie; 2) the era of misery; 3) the era of disgrace. The first era began in February 1983 (Bahman 1361). […]...

Iran’s underground cinema, as a semi-independent and often marginal sector of the country’s film production, has consistently navigated the intersection of legal restrictions, cultural pressures, and media representations. These films, produced outside the official mechanisms of Iranian cinema, not only provide a platform for expressing real social and ecological experiences, but also serve as vehicles […]...

In the heart of the night, the sound of sirens passes through the sleeping cities. The sky is on fire, walls tremble, and the silence of homes is shattered. War, this merciless word, has once again awakened from the slumber of history and cast its shadow over the lives of humans. But amidst the ruins, […]...

The death penalty, as one of the most severe and irreversible forms of punishment, has always been a subject of serious debate among legal scholars, sociologists, and human rights activists. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, execution has not only been a judicial tool, but also a political and ideological one, used in many cases […]...

In recent years, the television series “Paytakht” has always been a subject of attention with its social and political statements. Despite attracting a large audience, the seventh season of this series received criticism from viewers. Many viewers criticized the decline in the quality of writing. They believe that without Khashayar Alvand (one of the writers […]...

Social justice, as a subset of the principle of justice, means equal rights for all people—regardless of race, color, language, social status, or similar factors—so that each person can attain what they rightfully deserve. Justice in education, as the most critical pillar of national progress and development, refers to the availability of “opportunities” and “educational […]...

Tehran, a city known for the hustle and bustle of modern life, has recently unveiled a new dimension: a platform for experiencing beauty and reimagining artistic identity. This transformation is not only evident in established venues such as the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art and the long lines for the “Eye to Eye” exhibition but […]...

She’s called “Solka” so much so that even those around her have forgotten her real name is “Sara Bahreini.” Sara, or Solka as she’s known, has numerous tattoos adorning her body and exudes a sleek gangster style. She’s reminiscent of “Griselda Blanco,” except Sara is no criminal—she’s an artist, writing beautiful lyrics with a powerful […]...

“Solka” is calling out; she is so well known by this name that her acquaintances have forgotten her real name, “Sara Bahreini”. Sara, also known as Solka, has numerous tattoos on her body and has a stylish gangster appearance; something similar to “Griselda Blanco” but the difference is that Sara is not a criminal, she […]...

“In Sync with the People”, “Anti-Dictatorship”, “Independent”, and “Strong” are titles used to describe the “Free Art” movement in Iran. The Free Art movement, which became more radical and widespread after the killing of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, showed that the artistic community in Iran is aligned and in harmony with the ideals of the “Women’s […]...

Songs for solidarity. Can music play a role in creating cohesion in societies and strengthening civil society? This is a question that some “community-based institutions” are trying to create experiences for through music education. One example of these institutions is the “Community Music Works” (CMW) located in Providence, Rhode Island in the United States. This […]...

The fears and hopes of the publisher and writer. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad handed over the responsibility of presidency to his successor, Hassan Rouhani, while leaving behind a lot of destruction in various fields, including culture. But what we are facing in the field of books and publishing is a “burnt land”. According to many activists in […]...