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Rakhshan Banietemad رخشان بنی‌اعتماد
Banietemad, March 2014
Born	Rakhshan Banietemad (1954-04-03) April 3, 1954 (age 70) Tehran, Iran
Occupation(s)	Film director Producer Screenwriter
Spouse	Jahangir Kosari (1979–present)
Children	Baran (b. 1985) Tandis (b. 1975)

Rakhshān Banietemad (Persian: رخشان بنی‌اعتماد; born April 3, 1954, in Tehran, Iran) is an Iranian film director and screenwriter. She is often referred to as the "First Lady of Iranian Cinema" due to her prominent role in the country's film industry and her ability to merge political themes with personal and family narratives in her work. Banietemad is known for exploring societal issues through her characters, who often represent various segments of Iranian society.

Her earlier works were marked by the use of dark humour to (latter on) humour in which gave way to a more serious and expansive exploration of societal concerns. Her films often address a wide range of issues such as: the evolving roles of women, poverty, war, domestic abuse, social mobility, and balancing a portrayal of harsh realities with a sense of hope for change.

Banietemad's films frequently focus on women, with characters such as Tooba (Golab Adineh), Nobar (Fatemah Motamed-Aria), and Sara (Baran Kosari) representing different facets of women's experiences in Iran. These characters are often revisited and reinterpreted over time, reflecting the changes in Iranian society and culture.

Early in her career, Banietemad focused primarily on documentary filmmaking. Even after achieving international recognition for her feature films, she continued to create documentaries. Her 2002 film OurTimes (Ruz-egar-e ma) became the first documentary to be released in theaters in Iran. The film was also broadcast on the Franco-German network ARTE and screened at several renowned international festivals, including the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam and the Sundance Film Festival. Banietemad has maintained a strong connection to documentary filmmaking, emphasizing its ongoing importance in her career, with her documentaries often having a significant impact on the lives of their subjects.

Early life and education

Rakhshan Banietemad was born in Tehran, Iran, on April 3, 1954, into a middle-class family. Although her parents encouraged her to pursue a career in teaching, she demonstrated an interest in film from a young age. As a teenager, she decided to study film, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in film studies from the Dramatic Arts University in Tehran. Initially, Banietemad had planned to study architecture. Just before entering university, she took an exam for an intensive stage assistance course by the School of Television and Cinema, and was one of the 20 students accepted. She studied both architecture and stage assistance, but the following year, she took the national exam for the faculty of dramatic arts and chose to focus on film directing.

Career

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1970s and 1980s

Banietemad started her directing career with documentaries, with early works including The Culture of Consumption (Farhang-e masrafi), Occupation of Migrant Peasants in the City (Mohajerin-e roustai dar shahr) and The War Economic Planning (Tadbirha-ye eqtesadi-e-jang). Her early documentary film-making influenced her narrative films later on.

In 1973, after completing her degree, Banietemad began working as a script supervisor for the Iranian television network IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting). Later, in 1980, she directed television documentary features. Her films are steeped in Iran's social and economic context.

Banietemad has mentioned that her stories come from the development of characters she saw during her documentary film-making. For example, the story of Nargess is from a documentary about homeless women, the character of Touba in the film Under the Skin of the City (2001) is the result of her research in a documentary on working women, and the character of "Kabootar" in the movie The Blue Veiled comes out of the character of a rough and harsh woman who was even called "Mr. Ghodrat" (Ghodrat means a power which is a male name).

In 1981, Banietemad began working in cinema as a script supervisor on films such as The Liegemen and Chrysanthemum. In 1987, she directed her first feature film Off the Limits. She then revised the script for Canary Yellow and directed it.

1990s to Present

She earned critical and popular acclaim in 1991 with Nargess. She received the Best Director Award from the Fajr Film Festival, marking the first time in the history of the festival that a woman was awarded this prize. Since then, she has received numerous awards for her films, including a Bronze Leopard Award for The Blue-Veiled at the 1995 Locarno Film Festival. Under the Skin of the City won her the Best Foreign Language Film Award and the Audience Award at the 2001 Turin Film Festival.

With her 2002 documentary film Our Times, Banietemad became the first female filmmaker to explicitly confront the Iran-Iraq war, placing her in an important role in Iranian film history. This was also the first documentary ever to be shown in Iranian movie theaters and was also shown in prominent film festivals such as IDFA and Sundance Film Festival.

She has challenged censorship codes.

Her 2004 film, Gilaneh, considered an anti-war film, was nominated for three Crystal Simorghs at the Fajr Film Festival and won for best make-up and a special jury. Fatemeh Motamedaria, who starred in Gilaneh, won best actress.

Banietemad released more films during the early 2010s, including Mainline and Tales. Tales was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 71st Venice International Film Festival. She also continued making documentaries, collaborating with young filmmakers. Hey, Humans (2016), and The Karastan film series (2013-2017) are examples of Banietemad’s work with amateur filmmakers.

Style

Banietemad is known for her interest in strong female characters dealing with social issues. In her recent films, she often portrays female characters from lower socio-economic backgrounds who are struggling to make a living. She highlights the strength and resilience of Iranian women, seeing them as central to the country’s future. Despite legal, cultural, and economic challenges faced by lower-income women, Banietemad admires their enduring strength.

Her films also explore the complex relationships between mothers and their children, a theme rooted in her own experience as a mother in Iran. This focus reflects the societal expectations of Iranian women, who often find it difficult to separate their personal lives from their maternal roles within the country’s patriarchal structure.

In Tales (2014), Banietemad intertwines seven stories, where her notable female characters reappear, reinforcing the historical and cultural relevance of her earlier works and her impact on the portrayal of women in Iranian cinema.

Although her work prominently features strong female protagonists, Banietemad rejects being labeled a feminist filmmaker. She has expressed her discomfort with the term, particularly in the Iranian context, where "feminist" carries negative connotations. Instead, she focuses on the broader struggles of society’s lower classes, regardless of gender, and prefers not to be categorized under any specific label.

Banietemad’s unique style blends documentary techniques with fictional filmmaking, addressing social issues in Iran while maintaining international appeal. Her films frequently examine the hardships faced by Iran’s lower classes, single women, single mothers, and complex family dynamics. Often, her characters directly address the camera, aligning with documentary conventions.

Legacy

With a collection of films that combine absolute honesty with extraordinary subtlety, Banietemad analyzes the current cultural pressures shaping Iranian women's lives. She is widely recognized among Iranian audiences and critics as one of Iran's most prominent filmmakers and has also enjoyed international popularity.

She was awarded an honorary degree from SOAS in 2008.

Personal life

She is married to Iranian film producer Jahangir Kosari. Their daughter, Baran Kosari, is an Iranian film actress. Kosari began acting at a young age and is now a professional actress. She has appeared in her mother's films, as well as those of other Iranian filmmakers.

Humanitarian actions

Banietemad donated her international prize for the movie Ghesseh-ha to build a shelter for homeless women. She also donated some of her awards to help disadvantaged women.

Filmography

Feature films

Documentaries

• Karestan Documentary films (artistic consultant), 2013–17:
  • Poets of Life
  • Puzzleys
  • Mother of the Earth
  • MAHAK: A World She Founded
  • Friends at Work
  • Flax to Fire
• Hey, Humans (Ay, Adamha), 2016
• One Hour in a Lifetime (Yek saat az yek omr), 2015
• All My Trees (Hameh derakhtan-e man), 2015 which exmained the work of Mahlagha Mallah
• The Other Side of Mirrors (An sooy-e ayeneh ha), 2014
• The Mirrors Recital (Concert-e ayeneh ha), 2014
• The Concert of the Lords of Secrets (concert-e khodavandan-e asrar), 2014
• Mahak My Home (Khaneh man Mahak), a teamwork, 2014
• Keep Children in School (Bacheh ha ra dar madreseh negahdarim), a teamwork, 2012
• The Room No. 202 (Otahgh-e 202), part of Kahrizak 4 Views, 2012
• I’ll see you Tomorrow Elina (Farda mibinamet Elina), 2010
• We Are Half of Iran's Population (Ma nimi az jameiat-e Iranim), 2009
• Angels of the House of Sun (Hayat khalvate khaneh khorshid), 2009
• Second Home (producer), Director: Mahvash Sheikholeslami, 2008
• 3D Carpet (Farsh-e 3 Bodi), Part of "Iranian Carpet", 2007
• Our Times… (Ruzegar-e ma…), 2002
• The Last Visit with Iran Daftari (Akharin didar ba Iran Daftari), 1995
• To Whom Do You Show These Films? (In filmha ra beh ki neshun midin?), 1993
• Spring to Spring (Bahar ta bahar), 1993
• The 1992 Report (Gozaresh-e 71), 1993
• Centralization (Tamarkoz), 1986
• The War Economic Planning (Tadbirha-ye eqtesadi-e jang), 1981
• Occupation of Migrant Peasants in the City (Mohajerin-e roustai dar shahr),1980
• The Culture of Consumption (Farhang-e masrafi), 1979

Honors and awards

• Honorary Golden Cyclo, 23rd Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema (France), 2017
• Ethics and Prayer Award for social and civilian activities (Iran), 2016
• Cinema Honorary Award, 4th International Women Film Festival (Afghanistan), 2016
• Cinema Honorary Award, 6th International Crime & Punishment Film Festival (Turkey), 2016
• Special Jury Prize, Kahrizak 4 views, Dubai International Film Festival (UAE), 2012
• Prix Henri Langlois, Vincennes International Film Festival (France), 2010
• Special Jury Prize, We Are Half of Iran's Population, (WIFTS) (USA), 2009
• Achievement in Directing, Mainline, Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Australia), 2007
• Best Director & Best Actress, Mainline, Iran Cinema House Awards (Iran), 2007
• Artistic & Cultural Achievement Award, Kara International Film Festival (Pakistan), 2004
• Prince Claus Prize for Culture and Development (The Netherlands), 1998
• "Il Sindaco di Firenze” Peace and Freedom Award (Italy), 1998
• Best Asian Woman Director, The Blue Veiled, India International Film Festival (India), 1996
• Best Film, Off the Limits, Comedy International Film Festival (Italy), 1987
• The Prince Claus Award, 1998
• Honorary doctorate, SOAS, University of London (2008)
• Chairperson International jury, at 52nd International Film Festival of India, Goa 2021.

Professional distinctions

• Jury Member, Venice International Film Festival (Italy), 2017
• Academy Oscars Member, Writers Branch, 2017
• President of the jury, Vesoul Film Festival (France), 2017
• President of the jury, Prague Iranian Film Festival (Czech), 2017
• President of the jury, Image Film Festival (Iran), 2016
• President of the jury, Cinema Verite International Film Festival (Iran), 2013
• President of the jury, Busan International Film Festival (South Korea), 2013
• Master Class, California Institute of the Arts (USA), 2013
• Jury Member, Shanghai International Film Festival (China), 2012
• Jury Member, Dubai International Film Festival (UAE), 2010
• Jury Member, Asiatic Film Mediale Festival (Italy), 2010
• Master Class, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis (USA), 2010
• Jury Member, Fribourg International Film Festival (Switzerland), 2010
• Jury Member, Urban International Film Festival (Iran), 2009
• Producer, Heiran, feature-film (Iran), 2009
• Producer, Second House, documentary (Iran), 2008
• Honorary Doctorate, University of London (Iran), 2008
• Master Class, School of Oriental and African Studies, SOAS (England), 2008
• Master Class, Geneva University of Art & Design (ESBA), 2008
• Jury Member, Cinema Verite International Film Festival (Iran), 2007
• Jury Member, Women's Film Festival (Iran), 2006
• Jury Member, Asian Cinema, Fajr International Film Festival (Iran), 2006
• Jury Member, Art University Student Festival (Iran), 2005
• Director, Sony Young Directors Film Festival (Iran), 2003
• Jury Member, Asia Pacific Film Festival (Iran), 2003
• Jury Member, Sony Young Directors Film Festival (Iran), 2002
• Jury Member, Moscow International Film Festival ( Russia), 2002
• Jury Member, Cairo International Film Festival (Egypt), 2002
• Jury Member, Fajr International Film Festival (Iran), 2001
• Jury Member, Montreal World Film Festival (Canada), 2001
• Jury Member, Youth Film Festival (Iran), 2001
• Jury Member, Student Film Festival (Iran), 1999
• Jury Member, Leipzig International Film Festival (Germany), 1999
• Jury Member, Tokyo Environmental International Film Festival (Japan), 1998
• Jury Member, New Delhi International Film Festival (India), 1998
• Jury Member, Student Film Festival (Iran), 1997
• Jury Member, Locarno International Film Festival (Swiss), 1996
• Jury Member, Turin International Film Festival (Italy), 1995
• Jury Member, Center for Iranian Film Directors (Iran), 1993
• Jury Member, Roshd Film Festival (Iran), 1992
• Jury Member, Fajr International Film Festival (Iran), 1990

Further reading

• Cobbey, Rini. "Under the Skin of the City; Under the Surface Contrasts." Film in the Middle East and North Africa. Ed. Josef Gugler. Austin: Texas UP, 2011. 84-93.
• "Rakhshan Banietemad." Firouzan Films. 2011. Firouzan Films.
• Moruzzi, Norma Claire. "Women in Iran: Notes on Film and from the Field." Feminist Studies. 27.1(2001): 89-100.
• Whatley, Sheri. "Iranian Women Film Directors: A Clever Activism." Off Our Backs. 33.3/4(2003): 30-32.

See also

• Persian women's movement
• Langerood (village of Espili in Gilan)

References

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External links

• Rakhshan Banietemad at IMDb
• "The Cinema and Rakhshan Banietemad", April 19, 2008, Centre for Media and Film Studies, SOAS, University of London.
• Bidisha, What will British audiences make of a great Iranian auteur?, The Guardian, April 23, 2008
• "Honorary Doctorate of University of London for Rakhshan Banietemad", in Persian, BBC Persian, Wednesday July 23, 2008.
• We are half of the Iranian population (ما نیمی از جمعیت ایران هستیم), a non-partisan documentary by Banietemad in which women ask questions of the 2009 Iranian presidential candidates, in Persian, 7 June 2009: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
  Note: The text in the opening part of this documentary grants permission for non-profit public viewing.

• Iranian women film directors
• Iranian screenwriters
• Persian-language film directors
• Writers from Tehran
• 1954 births
• Members of the National Council for Peace
• Crystal Simorgh for Best Director winners
• Crystal Simorgh for Best Screenplay winners
• Asia Pacific Screen Award winners
• Living people