Playlist: Empire of Evil? An Inside Look at Iranian Society
Iran’s image in the West is due to several factors—including President George W. Bush’s “Axis of Evil” speech as well as the political agenda of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This program takes viewers behind the facade of the theocratic state, following a handful of everyday Iranian citizens and addressing questions ignored by most mainstream media: What is daily life like in the country? Is self-determination possible without coming into conflict with the religious law? How do the growing influences of the Internet, Western media, and globalization affect one’s life goals? Viewers accompany two women, two men, and a young girl as they face these issues. Not available in French-speaking Canada. (91 minutes)
A modern Iranian woman takes fencing lessons and loves to run through the streets of Tehran. Women athletes do not have professional trainers or a budget that might get them into international competitions.
Several generations of Iranian women talk about the roles they must play in public throughout their lives. A male athlete may attend competitions outside Iran, but his wife may not accompany him.
In Iran, women generally suffer from many restrictions except those from wealthy families. Women athletes are not allowed to show their skills in other countries.
Women in Iran have opportunities to study at good universities, yet there are no jobs for them upon graduation. Men and women enjoy skiing. Many people gather at the Ayatollah Khomeini's grave.
An Iranian Imam delivers a lecture about the evils of the USA. He uses Alvin Tofler's "The Third Wave" as a source of information.
In an English language school, teachers are instructed to begin classes with the Prophet's Word or the Word of God. At public school students learn about religion and apply it to daily life.
A religious radio program reminds listeners to put Islamic principles into their daily lives. Children are encouraged to master English in order to get along better in the world.
A young Iranian girl explores a very old, handwritten Koran with her grandfather.
An Iranian mother and daughter prepare for prayers in their home. Both cover themselves before they pray. Devout Iranian women must cover their heads if they appear on camera.
A well-to-do Iranian family enjoys music together, a family gathering, and shopping.
Iranian women who appear in public must wear headscarves. On the streets, traffic jams sometimes turn into spontaneous, illegal parties.
A young woman who loves to sing teaches in a music school for girls. A female soloist has little opportunity or support to make a career of singing. Female ensembles perform on ancient instruments.
A mother recalls the violence of her husband towards their daughters. She is reminded of their hard lives when the neighbor's daughter takes her own life.
A young woman finds it difficult to land a job in Tehran. She lacks skills in computers and cannot speak other languages. She wants to be a professional musician.
A street celebration forms for Ashura, in memory of the martyrdom of Imam Husain (third Shiite Imam). Men and women run and exercise in public.
Film viewers see inside the home of an elderly couple. Their son's room is small and attached to his parents home via the roof. In the absence of work, the son reads the Koran and other books.
The Basiji people give up their sons between 12 and 13 to die as martyrs of war. All the men want to do something for their country. Many are simple people who have never seen high tech weapons.
An Iranian man supplies poor people with computers and teaches them how to use them. As a Basiji, he works for others to the glory of God. Men of all ages attend Basiji meetings.
Mahtab, who wants a professional music career, records her own CD but is not allowed to publish it. A young couple has won green cards for the USA, but they cannot afford to emigrate.
A young girl from an affluent family learns piano and buys her new school uniforms. Her parents take her to a photographer's studio for a portrait.
An Imam and Iranian women disagree on Islam; the imam perceives no restrictions for women. The women urge the Imam to support the development of the society to allow women to be free.