Niloofar Asadi
Filmmaker, Producer
In Pursuit of Freedom
Short Documentary, 2020.
In Pursuit of Freedom is a glimpse into the history of women’s progress in contemporary Iran. Progressive movements in Iranian modern history have encountered significant defining moments, and the women’s rights movements have been no exception. From extreme forms of suppression, including deprivation of the right to education during the times of the Qajar dynasty, to more recent progressive movements of enlightenment—battling with mandatory hijab laws for the freedom of outfit choice and more—women have persistently sought advancement.
In this experimental documentary, Niloofar shows the progression of the historic eras through a self-reflexive performance, wherein her outfit, coupled with her facial expressions, signify different eras of the progressive movement.
In Pursuit of Freedom is a commentary on Iran's contemporary history by exploring the politics revolving around the female body, outfits, and the sociocultural norms surrounding Iranian women’s lives. This micro doc sheds light on the resilience to authoritarianism and shows the liberty-seeking voice of women in Iran has never been extinguished. AND WON’T!
Staged photography portraying a woman in the period of the Qajar dynasty (the 18th century).
Staged photography portraying a woman in the period of the Pahlavi dynasty (the 19th century).
Staged photography portraying a woman in the Pahlavi dynasty before
the Islamic Revolution in Iran (the 20th century).
Staged photography portraying a woman after the Islamic revolution in Iran
during the Iran–Iraq War (the 20th century).
Staged photography portraying a woman after the Green Wave of Iran (the 21st century).
Staged photography portraying a woman of Iran present-day (the 21st century).
