THE CIRCLE
dir. Jafar Panahi
IR, 90′
Their “crimes” are unclear, and guilt or innocence is irrelevant. Their world is marked by constant surveillance, bureaucracy, and deeply rooted inequalities. No, the repressive system fails to extinguish the spirit, strength, and courage of the circle of Iranian women. The multilayered drama of renowned director Jafar Panahi is a proclamation against the repression of women in Iran. Through intertwined fates – former prisoners, a woman seeking an abortion, and a new mother – The Circle shows how even mundane actions like entering a bus or a hotel are conditioned by the presence of a man. Winner of the Golden Lion in Venice 2000. the film is still banned in Iran.
