The Aesthetics and Politics of Iranian Cinema

From its early conception up until its later globalization, Iranian cinema has struggled with a domestic censorship apparatus on the one hand, and has been inspired by Persian poetry on the other. Out of the confluence of that politics and aesthetics, there has emerged one of the most eminent national cinemas in the world with its own unique signature. In this course, we will examine the Iranian cinema not simply historically but also, aesthetically, in terms of its new cinematic language, its reconfigurations of space and time, and its consolidation of different subjectivities. With respect to its politics, especial attention will be given to its influence on the geopolitics of the Middle East and the world at large, and its prohibition or promotion for the sake of defying or justifying wars.

Satisfies General Education Requirements:

• Group-Satisfying: Arts and Letters
• Multicultural Courses: International Cultures (IC)