On his 65th birthday, acclaimed filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s unwavering spirit in the face of censorship is celebrated in a new documentary, ‘And, Towards Happy Alleys’.
Defying the Ban: Panahi’s Unyielding Vision
Jafar Panahi, known for his clandestine filmmaking, has faced severe restrictions from the Iranian government, including a ban on making films. This ban plunged him into a year-long depression, leading to a profound moment of despair.
He recounts a harrowing suicide attempt at sea, where the powerful waves seemed to reject him. This near-death experience became a turning point, solidifying his resolve: “no matter what happens, I will find a way out to make films.”
Despite arrests, imprisonment, and the ongoing ban, Panahi remains steadfast in Iran. He emphasizes that filmmaking is the very essence of his life, providing it with meaning and purpose.
‘And, Towards Happy Alleys’: A Poetic Homage
Sreemoyee Singh’s documentary, ‘And, Towards Happy Alleys’, offers a unique glimpse into Panahi’s resilient spirit. Screened recently in Delhi, the film acts as a cinematic love letter to Iranian New Wave cinema and literature.
The documentary, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2023, also serves as a poignant reminder of the heavy burden of artistic censorship and authoritarian restrictions in Iran. It develops as a travel diary, exploring how cinematic and literary gems continue to emerge despite constant threats.
Unveiling Hope Amidst Claustrophobia
Sreemoyee Singh, a Kolkata-born filmmaker fluent in Persian, embarks on her first feature-length documentary with this film. She grapples with a central question: “Where did this hope emanate from? How could such life-affirming stories of beauty emerge from the claustrophobia of censorship?”
Through her interactions with figures like Panahi, lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, and filmmaker Mohammad Shirvani, Singh seeks answers. Her journey sheds light on the socio-political landscape of Iran since the 1979 Revolution, highlighting the struggles for artistic and personal freedom.
Women’s Voices and Shared Struggles
The film delves deeper into the restrictive socio-political conditions for women in Iran, where mandatory hijabs, bans on public singing, and the Morality Police suppress dissent. A central figure in this narrative is the rebel poet Forugh Farrokhzad, whose verses celebrating desire and womanhood defy convention.
Singh draws parallels between women’s experiences in Iran and India, noting similar struggles despite differing degrees of policing. The film also explores the complex history of the hijab, revealing that both its mandatory imposition after 1979 and its outright ban under the earlier Reza Shah Pahlavi regime were equally disrespectful of women’s choices.
- Jafar Panahi continues making films in Iran despite a government ban and past imprisonment.
- Sreemoyee Singh’s documentary celebrates Iranian art while exposing the impact of censorship.
- The film highlights the resilience of artists and the ongoing fight for women’s rights in Iran.
- Poet Forugh Farrokhzad’s work symbolizes defiance and hope in the face of oppression.
As ‘And, Towards Happy Alleys’ concludes, it leaves audiences with a powerful sense of awe for the enduring spirit of Iranian artists and activists, epitomized by Farrokhzad’s poignant poetry about finding love and defiance even when justice hangs by a fragile thread.
