Historical Events
The name and date of the most significant turning point in the history of US-Iranian relations.
What is the Revolution of 1978–79?
(Alternative answer: the hostage crisis of 1979–81)
This cinematic era emerged alongside the heavy presence of films imported from the US, India, and Egypt.
What is Film Farsi (approximately 1960–1980)?
Though mostly known for his films on Iranian Kurdistan, this filmmaker also really enjoys music.
The onset of World War II led to the ouster of this Iranian monarch from power by Allies.
Who is Reza Shah Pahlavi (r. 1925–1941)?
The "Iranian New Wave" took place over this period of time.
What is 1965 to 1979 (approximately)?
She has been called "the first lady of Iranian cinema."
Who is Rakhshan Bani-Etemad?
Claims of election fraud led to this popular uprising against the government in 2009.
What is the Green Movement?
The election of Mohammad Khatami in 1997 coincided with the rise and subsequent success of this cinematic trend into the new century.
What is "women's cinema"?
What is The House is Black?
This event both cemented Iranian economic and political dependency on the US and fomented strong anti-American sentiments domestically.
What is the British-American coup d'etat of Mossadegh in 1953?
The advent of digital video technology helped facilitate the rise of this cinematic movement.
What is underground cinema?
This film set the stage for the efflorescence of the so-called "children films" of the 90s.
What is Bashu, The Little Stranger?
(alternative answers: The Runner, Where is the Friend's Home?)
In terms of its material, political, and economic impact, this is probably the most significant event of modern Iranian history.
What is the Iran-Iraq war (1980–1988)?
Iranian cinema during this period was relatively unrestricted by government intervention and oversight.
What is the Qajar period (1905–1925)?
He was sentenced to jail for stabbing a policeman when 17 years old, then made a film documenting this incident in 1995's Moment of Innocence.
Who is Mohsen Makhmalbaf?