Women Without Men

 

Shirin Neshat is an acclaimed artist who has been working primarily within the fields of photography and video. As an acknowledged visual artist on the international contemporary art scene, she has been invited to exhibit at some of the most prestigious events and galleries worldwide. In 2009 Neshat presented her debut feature film Women Without Men, which won her a Silver Lion for best director at the Venice International Filmfestival. We are proud to be the first presenting this masterpiece during the 20th Films from the South filmfestival in October.

 

Neshat was born and raised in Iran, before migrating to the U.S. to pursue studies within the field of art. It was during her years in California in the late 1970's that the Shahs regime was abolished and Ayatollah Khomeini came to power in what came to be known as the Islamic revolution. Neshats work often revolves around the subjects of women, identity, religion and how these coexist. She is currently working and living in New York.

 

WOMEN WITHOUT MEN SYNOPSIS 

The year is 1953. Two years back Muhammad Musaddiq was democratically elected new leader of Iran. Progressive reforms take place and western ways become idealised. The future looks bright for the young democracy; a nation rich on history and culture, at the same time abundant on oil. However the latter becomes its fate as new government leaders wish to expropiate national resources. This is met by discontent in the private oil business. As a result, American and British intelligence (CIA, M16) perform a coup where president Musaddiq is removed from power in favour of the progressive Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who now becomes the country's main leader.

 

This is the historical backdrop for Women Without Men were director Shirin Neshat, with great stenght and elegant cinematography invites us into the microcosmos of four strong women living in a world dominated by men. With this film she draws attention to a pivotal incident in recent Iranian history, pointing out the relevance of modern struggle for democracy in todays Iran.

 

 

The original score from Women Without Men was composed by renowned Ryuichi Sakamoto, who has previously collaborated with directors Brian de Palma, Nagisa Oshima and Bernardo Bertolucci. Martin Gschacht, who has worked with Austrian directors Götz Speilmann, Jessica Hausner and Ulrich Seidl, was cinematographer and co-producer on the film. Women Without Men is based on Iranian Shahrnush Parsipurs magic-realism novel of the same name.