In the two decades following the Islamic Revolution, with the streets and campuses of Tehran the scene of terrible violence, Azar Nafisi is tackling a most arduous challenge: explaining Western literature to students increasingly exposed to Islamic indoctrination. When the political and social conditions prevent her continuing, Professor Nafisi leaves her position at the University of Tehran and secretly gathers seven of her most committed students at her home to read Western classics. She told her story in her book Reading Lolita in Tehran, the basis for this film by Israeli director Eran Riklis which stars Golshifteh Farahani as the professor and writer.
Unable to film the story in its place of origin, 1980s’ Tehran was built in Rome: “I said to myself, films are on one hand about authenticity, but also about creativity, about inspiration, about opening your mind. And that was my approach. I surrounded myself with Iranian experts to make sure everything looks perfect - the locations, the costumes, the extras. Everything that was in front of the lens. I also made sure that everything we hear - dialogue, sounds on the street, music - is totally realistic. And I think that today I can say that we succeded in creating Teheran in Rome” the director commented on the choice of Italy.
Specifically, the following were used as sets: the Salone delle Fontane, Palazzo dei Congressi (EUR), Istituto storico e di cultura dell’arma del genio, the Salesian Institute Villa Sora, the Gibi knitwear factory, Bar Sisto in Ostia, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Cinema Tiziano and the covered market of Monti.
In the two decades following the Islamic Revolution, with the streets and campuses of Tehran the scene of terrible violence, Azar Nafisi is tackling a most arduous challenge: explaining Western literature to students increasingly exposed to Islamic indoctrination. When the political and social conditions prevent her continuing, Professor Nafisi leaves her position at the University of Tehran and secretly gathers seven of her most committed students at her home to read Western classics. She told her story in her book Reading Lolita in Tehran, the basis for this film by Israeli director Eran Riklis which stars Golshifteh Farahani as the professor and writer.
Unable to film the story in its place of origin, 1980s’ Tehran was built in Rome: “I said to myself, films are on one hand about authenticity, but also about creativity, about inspiration, about opening your mind. And that was my approach. I surrounded myself with Iranian experts to make sure everything looks perfect - the locations, the costumes, the extras. Everything that was in front of the lens. I also made sure that everything we hear - dialogue, sounds on the street, music - is totally realistic. And I think that today I can say that we succeded in creating Teheran in Rome” the director commented on the choice of Italy.
Specifically, the following were used as sets: the Salone delle Fontane, Palazzo dei Congressi (EUR), Istituto storico e di cultura dell’arma del genio, the Salesian Institute Villa Sora, the Gibi knitwear factory, Bar Sisto in Ostia, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Cinema Tiziano and the covered market of Monti.
United King Films, Topia Communications, Rosamont, Eran Riklis Production, Minerva Pictures, Rai Cinema
Azar Nafisi, a former professor at Tehran University, secretly gathers seven of her most committed female students to read forbidden western classics. As fundamentalists seize control, the women remove their veils, speak about their intimate hopes, loves and disappointments, their femininity and their search for a place in an increasingly oppressive society. By reading Lolita in Tehran, they celebrate the liberating power of literature in revolutionary Iran and form their own future.
