In 1969, Iranian artists and intellectuals met in Tehran. They began to make their own independent films beyond the mainstream of the time. Thus a completely new movement was born: Cinema-ye Azad (Free Cinema). Pressurised after the revolution, it disbanded and the films were hidden. A group of Iranian film enthusiasts has started to research this important but almost forgotten movement and to save the first rediscovered films from decay. Due to the lockdowns in Iran, it was impossible to research a programme. Therefore, we are happy to be able to talk to the Iranian film scholar Hadi Alipanah, the initiator of the research and to show first examples.

The programme is free of charge. The films will be shown in the original version with English subtitles, and the moderation and conversation will be in English.

Image (above): Cinema-ye Azad filmmakers in Shiraz, IR