Soora – Breaking the Silence

52mins English, German or French version available
85mins THE ART OF LIVING IN DANGER

Synopsis

In Iran, men can legally abuse, coerce, humiliate, rule over and speak on behalf of women. Five female activists run a one-year campaign. Their goal is to pass a law that makes domestic violence a crime.
In Iran, men can legally abuse, coerce, humiliate, rule over and speak on behalf of women. Women need their husband’s or father’s permission to travel, work or get a divorce. Violence against women, especially within a marriage or the family, is not considered a crime, thus women cannot turn to the police or anyone else for help. Banafsheh, Sedigheh, Zahra, Jelveh and Mina – five fearless feminists – founded an NGO called “SOORA”. Its goal is to raise awareness about the problem of domestic violence and eventually to pass a law that makes domestic violence a crime. Our five protagonists take us along on their campaign tour through Iran, where we learn about its diverse traditions and about how male dominance is enforced by law. SOORA provides legal advice, information and also practical assistance. All of their activities have to be carried out in secret because freedom of speech does not exist. The lives of the five women are constantly in danger. Will they succeed in breaking the silence and passing the law?

Festivalteilnahmen/Preise

2020
Sheffield [THE ART OF LIVING IN DANGER]