Film Lens
In 'The Unseen', directed by Behzad Nalbandi, Tehran's local authorities implement an urban beautification initiative during visits from foreign dignitaries. This process involves rounding up individuals considered unsavoury, such as drug users, prostitutes, and the homeless, forcing them to hide from public view. The film uses hand-made cardboard miniatures to depict these events, providing a unique visual style that contrasts with the serious subject matter.
The documentary reveals a significant gender disparity in the treatment of those rounded up. While men are released after the dignitaries leave, women are kept as wards of the state. Through the stories of these women, the film exposes the hidden struggles beneath Tehran's polished exterior, showing how superficial changes in a city's image can mask deeper societal issues that remain unaddressed.
Why Watch
- •Meet the women hidden from view in Tehran.
- •Find out how urban beautification affects marginalized groups.
- •See the contrast between Tehran's image and its realities.
Did You Know
•The film took five years to create using hand-made cardboard miniatures.
•Women rounded up during the beautification process are kept as wards of the state.
•The film runs for 65 minutes and was produced in Iran.
Perfect For
Urban studiesGender issuesMiddle Eastern politics