Rakhshān
Banietemad

Awardee

Country

Iran

Rakhshān Banietemad advocates for gender equality and civil society through film.

Themes
Free expression / Civil society
Gender equality
Disciplines
Film
Awards
Archive - Prince Claus Laureate 1998

Profile

Rakhshān Banietemad is a filmmaker based in Iran. She is known for her poignant and socially conscious cinema. Her work explores the intricacies of Iranian society, focusing on themes of gender, social justice, and the human condition, making her a pivotal figure in Iranian new wave cinema. Banietemad's films, such as "Narges," "The Blue-Veiled," and "Tales," have garnered international acclaim for their intimate portrayal of the lives of women and the lower class in Iran, blending documentary realism with narrative storytelling.Her storytelling technique, which often merges documentary and fictional narrative forms, has earned her awards at prestigious film festivals around the world, including Venice and Fajr, solidifying her status as a voice in contemporary Iranian cinema. Despite the challenges faced by filmmakers in Iran, Banietemad's work continues to inspire and provoke thought both domestically and internationally. Through her films, she offers a nuanced and critical perspective on Iranian society, contributing significantly to the global understanding of Iran's complex social landscape.