| Details | Available in DC, Maryland, and Virginia from January 22–February 7 Stream it here: https://iranfestdc.eventive.org Trailer: https://vimeo.com/326699561 "I’ve been wishing to dance on the stage for thirty to forty years. But everywhere is a stage for the one who wants to dance," says the unnamed subject of this documentary. Gracefully offers a tender and moving portrait of an 80-year-old man who in his youth was known for dancing at local ceremonies and celebrations dressed as a woman, and now works as a farmer. Since 1979, dancing publicly has been forbidden in Iran, and has been considered particularly sinful for women and trans people. Throughout the film, our protagonist finds discreet reasons for which to dance: to express his art, in pursuit of happiness, and as an act of resistance. Winner of the award for best director at the 2019 Yamagata Documentary Film Festival. (Dir.: Aram Eshaghi, Iran, 2019, 60 min., Persian with English subtitles)
Images courtesy of Venera Films |
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