Transsexual Film From Iran Breaking Ground
A last minute inclusion in the Venice Film Festival, Tedium, a film about seven transsexuals in modern day Iran, is impressing festival audiences – but it won’t make cinema screens in the country in which it’s set.
One of two last minute inclusions in the festival program, it was feared Tedium by first time Iranian director Bahman Motamedian, might be held up by censors because of its controversial content.
With none of the seven transsexuals in the film being actors, Motamedian says it was tough finding transsexuals willing to appear on screen in a masculine country, where strict gender roles are enforced.
“One can sense the depth of their loneliness and tedium when one sees that they are accepted not even by their own families. These young people are estranged from their own bodies and spirits, and exhausted by this estrangement from themselves and a society that accords no rights whatsoever to them,” reads the festival’s synopsis of the film.
But the director insists that the film isn’t about the difficulties Iranian transsexuals may face in such a country, but the experience of transexuals across the globe.
“We know that throughout the world this problem exists,” Motamedian said. “The idea was to raise awareness among families especially, because this is the first layer of barrier, and to help people to realise they are not alone and be able to face the problem.”
39-year-old Motamedian says that the film was made without government permission or funding, which means the film won’t be shown in Iran.
But shown three times at the festival, it is one of only two surprise films shown outside of competition. The other is expected to come from China and is experiencing similar problems with censorship.
All About
Your Thoughts
Hey there, you need to be logged in to get involved with SameSame, click here to login if you're already a member, or here if you need to become a new member.
meezon04
said on the 2nd Sep, 2008