Please join Dr Maryam Ghorbankarimi in conversation with the director Sreemoyee Singh at the documentary film screening of 'And, Towards Happy Alleys'.

Tuesday 20 June 2023, 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Bowland Main Lecture Theatre.

Fascinated by Iran’s film culture and the poetic works of the feminist poet Forough Farrokhzad, Indian filmmaker Sreemoyee Singh sets out in search of the protagonists of Iranian cinema. The numerous interviews she conducts over a period of six years with filmmakers Jafar Panahi, Mohammad Shirvani and human rights activist Nasrin Sotudeh, among others, show the precarious situation in which critics of the regime find themselves, including the constant threat of imprisonment and being banned from practicing their profession. With a keen eye for unusual situations, she documents the effect of the Islamic Republic’s strict and omnipresent censorship on the daily lives of Iranian women whose uncompromising struggle has put them at the forefront of the protests that are currently rocking the country.

And, Towards Happy Alleys is a passionate declaration of love for the cinema and poetry of Iran which also provides a frank view of daily life, and bears witness to a fearless generation raising its voice and implacably demanding its civil liberties.

The film was recently shown at the Panorama Documente section in Berlinale, 2023, and was very well received by audiences and critics alike.

Last month, the film won the best film award at the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema. The film will have its UK premiere this month at the Sheffield Doc Film Fest (14-19 June 2023). You can watch a clip from the film here.

This free event is organised with the support of Decolonise Lancaster University and Film at Lancaster Institute for Contemporary Arts.