Reading Lolita in Tehran (2024) by Eran Riklis: Literature as Resistance in Revolutionary Iran

Movie Summary: The Forbidden Classroom, The Unveiling of Souls

"Reading Lolita in Tehran" (2024) is a drama film directed by Israeli filmmaker Eran Riklis, based on the internationally bestselling memoir by Azar Nafisi. Set in revolutionary Iran from the late 1980s to 1997, the film follows Azar Nafisi (Golshifteh Farahani), an inspired university professor, who secretly gathers seven of her most committed female students to read forbidden Western literary classics. As Islamic morality squads stage arbitrary raids and fundamentalists seize control of universities, these women, unaccustomed to expressing their minds freely, begin to remove their veils and unveil their deepest thoughts, hopes, and struggles. Their stories intertwine with the heroines of Nabokov, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry James, and Jane Austen, as they dare to dream, hope, and love amidst a society under political, moral, and personal siege. The film is a powerful ode to freedom, sisterhood, and the resilience of women in the face of tyranny, resonating deeply with contemporary movements for women's rights in Iran.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27679443/

Link Review: https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/reading-lolita-in-tehran-review-azar-nafisi-1236190198/

About movie: https://westendfilms.com/programme/reading-lolita-in-tehran

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/reading-lolita-in-tehran (France), https://www.justwatch.com/it/film/leggere-lolita-a-teheran (Italy)

Detailed Summary: Books, Bonds, and Quiet Rebellion

In a society increasingly stifled by religious dogma and political repression, a hidden sanctuary emerges. "Reading Lolita in Tehran" transports audiences to the turbulent landscape of post-revolution Iran, where intellectual freedom and personal expression are severely curtailed, particularly for women.

• The Setting and Repression: The film vividly reconstructs Tehran in the late 1980s and 1990s, portraying a society where Islamic morality squads conduct arbitrary raids and universities fall under fundamentalist control. The mandatory veil, censorship, and widespread oppression create a suffocating atmosphere, turning public spaces into arenas of control.

• Azar Nafisi's Initiative: At the heart of the story is Azar Nafisi (Golshifteh Farahani), a literature professor at the University of Tehran. Disillusioned by the increasing repression and eventually resigning due to her refusal to wear the veil in the classroom, she takes a courageous step: she secretly gathers seven of her dedicated female students at her home.

• The Secret Book Club: In the privacy of Nafisi's living room, these young women embark on a transformative journey. They read forbidden Western classics by authors like Vladimir Nabokov (Lolita), F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby), Henry James (Daisy Miller, Washington Square), and Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice). This enclosed, vibrant space becomes a "bastion of resistance" and a "sanctuary."

• Unveiling Souls: As they delve into these texts, a remarkable shift occurs. Unaccustomed to speaking their minds freely, the students gradually remove their veils—both literally and figuratively. Their personal stories, struggles, relationships, and dreams intertwine with those of the fictional heroines they read. Topics like emotions, relationships, and sex, normally unspoken, are openly discussed.

• Literature as Resistance: The critical reading of Western literature becomes an act of subversion. The women realize how these books help them understand their own situation, providing strength and a means to reclaim their voices and reconstruct their identities. The film draws a chilling parallel between Lolita, deprived of her voice, and Iranian women suffering similar dispossession under the mullahs' patriarchy. Removing the veil becomes a powerful "act of insubordination," a reclaiming of their space and bodies.

• Themes of Resilience and Exile: The narrative explores the complexity of individuals facing political, moral, and personal siege. It highlights the solidarity and resilience of women challenging patriarchal norms. The film also touches on the theme of exile, as several actresses in the cast, like Farahani, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, and Mina Kavani, are real-life exiles from Iran, adding a poignant layer of authenticity. Nafisi herself eventually leaves Iran, using imagination and writing as a "first step toward freedom."

Plot Summary: Forbidden Texts, Liberated Minds

• In revolutionary Iran, professor Azar Nafisi (Golshifteh Farahani) secretly forms a book club with seven female students after resigning from the university due to escalating repression.

• In her living room, they secretly read and discuss banned Western classics by authors like Nabokov, Fitzgerald, and Austen.

• Through these discussions, the women gradually open up, remove their veils, and share their personal lives, dreams, and struggles.

• Their individual stories intertwine with the themes of the novels, revealing the power of literature as a form of intellectual resistance and personal liberation.

• The film portrays their resilience and sisterhood amidst a society under political and moral siege, culminating in their search for freedom and, for some, eventual exile.

Director's Vision: Eran Riklis's Humanistic Lens on Political Turmoil

A Universal Story of Freedom and Human Connection in the Face of Oppression. Eran Riklis (known for "Lemon Tree," "The Syrian Bride") adapts Azar Nafisi's memoir with a clear vision:

• People First, Then Politics: Riklis emphasizes that his primary goal is to tell a "story of people within a political situation—not a political story, but about people, first of all." He explores how political and social changes affect daily life, aiming for a universal vision of human struggles.

• Celebrating Literature and Resilience: The film is an ode to the "liberating power of literature" and the "beautiful portrait of an intellectual in revolt." Riklis highlights how literature offers solace, understanding, and a path to freedom.

• Collaboration with Exiled Actresses: Riklis intentionally collaborated with Iranian actresses living in exile (including Golshifteh Farahani, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, and Mina Kavani). He held workshops where actresses read the script and provided suggestions, allowing their real-life experiences to inform the portrayals and add powerful authenticity.

• Timeless Relevance: While specifically about Iran in the 1980s and 90s, Riklis believes the film resonates with global trends of societies "going in a not very good direction" in terms of freedom and oppression. He seeks to "bring some clarity" to these universal themes.

• Accessible Storytelling: Riklis aimed to make the complex story both "smart but also accessible," ensuring that audiences unfamiliar with the original book or the literary classics discussed could still connect deeply with the characters' emotional journeys. He wanted the film to "open doors rather than deliver messages."

• Reconstructing Tehran in Rome: The film was shot in Italy, with Riklis meticulously reconstructing Tehran's atmosphere, demonstrating a commitment to visual authenticity while navigating the practicalities of filming outside Iran.

Themes: Freedom, Resistance, Censorship, Sisterhood, Memory, and the Power of Imagination

The Unbreakable Spirit of Humanity in Oppression.

• Freedom of Expression vs. Censorship: The central conflict revolves around the suppression of intellectual and personal freedoms by the Islamic Republic and the protagonists' clandestine efforts to reclaim them through forbidden literature.

• Intellectual Resistance: The secret book club symbolizes defiance against authoritarianism and the profound power of literature and knowledge as a non-violent form of resistance.

• Female Empowerment and Sisterhood: The film highlights the strength, resilience, and solidarity among women who, by sharing their stories and vulnerabilities, find collective power to challenge patriarchal norms and rigid societal constraints.

• Identity and Self-Discovery: Through the lens of Western classics, the characters explore and redefine their own identities, aspirations, and understanding of love and meaning in a repressed society.

• The Private vs. The Public Self: The contrast between the veiled, censored public sphere and the private, unveiled sanctuary of the living room underscores the theme of dual identities and the reclaiming of personal space and authenticity.

• The Power of Imagination and Memory: Literature offers an escape and a means to "travel without a passport," inhabiting other lives when their own are confiscated. The film is also a memoir, reflecting the power of memory in telling one's own truth.

• Trauma and Resilience: The film depicts the hardships, torment, and trauma faced by those opposing the regime, while emphasizing the human spirit's enduring capacity for hope and resistance.

Key Success Factors: Timely Relevance, Strong Source Material, and Powerful Acting

• Timely and Urgent Relevance: The film's themes of women's rights, intellectual freedom, and resistance against authoritarianism resonate deeply with current global events, particularly the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement in Iran.

• Bestselling Source Material: Azar Nafisi's memoir is widely acclaimed and well-known, providing a strong narrative foundation and a pre-existing audience.

• Powerful Performances by Exiled Actresses: The presence of actresses like Golshifteh Farahani, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, and Mina Kavani, who are themselves exiles, brings an undeniable authenticity, emotional depth, and symbolic power to their roles. Their performances have received significant praise.

• Experienced Director: Eran Riklis's track record of sensitive and humanistic films set against political backdrops ensures a nuanced and compelling adaptation.

• Strong Festival Reception: Early screenings at major festivals like Rome Film Fest (winning Audience Award and Special Jury Prize for Female Cast), Tallinn Black Nights, Miami, and Palm Springs indicate critical acclaim and positive audience feedback.

Awards & Nominations: A Festival Favorite

"Reading Lolita in Tehran" has garnered significant acclaim and awards on the international film festival circuit:

• 19th Rome Film Festival (2024):

  • Winner: Audience Award (FS Audience Award) - This is a coveted honor, indicating strong resonance with general viewers.

  • Winner: Special Jury Prize for Female Cast in the Progressive Cinema Competition, recognizing the outstanding performances of its female ensemble.

• Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) 2024:

  • Official Selection – Competition.

• Miami International Film Festival (2025):

  • Nominated for its artistic achievement and storytelling.

• Palm Springs International Film Festival (2025):

  • Official Selection, recognized for promoting cross-cultural understanding, and featured a "Book to Screen" discussion with the director, screenwriter, and author.

• BCN FILM FEST 2025 (Barcelona):

  • Official Selection.

• International Cinephile Society Awards (2024):

  • Nominated for Best Cinematography (Hélène Louvart).

Summary: "Reading Lolita in Tehran" has been a significant presence at international film festivals, securing two major awards at the Rome Film Festival (Audience Award and Special Jury Prize for Female Cast) and receiving official selections and nominations at other prestigious events, highlighting its strong critical and audience appeal.

Critics' Reception: A Timely, Moving, Yet Debated Adaptation

Critical reception for "Reading Lolita in Tehran" has been largely positive, praising its powerful message and performances, though some reviewers noted areas where the film's execution didn't fully capture the book's depth.

• Timely and Relevant: Critics widely acknowledge the film's "pertinence and urgency" in light of ongoing struggles for women's rights in Iran, particularly following events like the death of Mahsa Amini. It fits "perfectly with the fight led by young Iranian women against the repression" (Cineuropa, Screen Comment).

• Powerful Performances: The cast, particularly the ensemble of exiled Iranian actresses led by Golshifteh Farahani (as Azar Nafisi), Zar Amir Ebrahimi, and Mina Kavani, has received high praise. Farahani is described as a "powerful and charismatic presence" whose face "speaks volumes even when she chooses to stay silent" (Screen Daily, WestEnd Films).

• Thematic Depth: Reviewers commend the film for highlighting "intellectual resistance," "female empowerment," and the "liberating power of literature" in the face of oppression. It successfully shows how "a book club became a bastion of [resistance]" (Sortiraparis.com, Screen Comment).

• Visuals and Atmosphere: Despite being filmed in Italy, the production successfully "reconstructs Tehran" with "cinematic realism," creating an "asphyxiated atmosphere" that makes the private readings feel like powerful acts of subversion (Sortiraparis.com, Screen Comment).

• "Gentle Act of Subversion": The film portrays a "gentle, often invisible and yet formidably effective resistance," where "a book read, a veil removed, a story shared" become radical acts. The act of removing the veil in the privacy of the living room is depicted as a "taking back of their space, a reclaiming of their bodies" (Screen Comment).

• Areas of Critique: Some critics felt that while the film is "stirring," it can be "cautiously by-the-numbers" or "conventionally-made." A few reviewers found that Riklis's diligent direction "doesn't convey the insane levels of repression" with the "degree of sensitivity that's required," and that the screenplay sometimes struggles to transpose the full complexity of the memoir (Cineuropa, Screen Daily). Some also noted a "cinematic dissonance" or a "latent West Gaze" in its portrayal, though the film attempts to counterbalance this by showing characters who question a Western perspective (High On Films).

Summary: "Reading Lolita in Tehran" is largely celebrated for its timely and powerful message of resistance through literature, amplified by strong performances from its ensemble of Iranian actresses. While praised for its empathetic portrayal of women's struggles and its atmospheric depiction of oppressive Tehran, some critics found its adaptation of the complex memoir to be occasionally conventional or to lack the full emotional force of the book's subject matter.

Reviews: A Secret Book Club in Revolutionary Iran

Reviews detail the film's core plot, which follows a literature professor's clandestine efforts to empower her female students through forbidden Western texts.

• Plot Overview: The film begins in the summer of 1979, depicting Azar Nafisi (Golshifteh Farahani), an English literature professor, and her husband Bijan returning to Tehran with hopes for a new, revolutionary Iran. However, the initial optimism quickly fades as the Islamic Republic's control tightens, with morality squads, censorship, and increasing oppression, particularly for women.

• The University's Shifting Climate: As the climate for education becomes more restrictive, with mandatory hijabs and suppression of free thought, Azar finds her ability to teach openly compromised. After heated student protests and the tragic execution of one of her students, Azar eventually leaves her position at the University of Tehran.

• The Secret Book Club: In 1995, Azar decides to form a clandestine book club, secretly gathering seven of her most committed female students in her living room every Thursday morning. This private space becomes a sanctuary where the women can remove their veils, speak freely, and discuss forbidden Western literary classics.

• Literature as Resistance: Through the works of authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald ("The Great Gatsby"), Vladimir Nabokov ("Lolita"), Henry James ("Daisy Miller"), and Jane Austen ("Pride and Prejudice"), the women find solace, resistance, and a way to understand their own lives. They discuss themes of freedom, identity, love, and rebellion, finding parallels between the fictional heroines and their own struggles in a repressive society. The discussion of "Lolita," for instance, prompts the powerful question: "Are we Lolita?" – referring to the novel's protagonist being deprived of her voice and agency.

• Intertwining Stories: The film weaves together the literary discussions with the personal stories and struggles of the students. Flashbacks reveal their interrogations, experiences with domestic abuse, and life-altering choices under the regime. Characters like Sanaz (Zar Amir Ebrahimi) and Nassrin (Mina Kavani) represent different facets of the women's experience and their various forms of resistance or coping.

• Themes of Defiance and Solidarity: The central message is about the enduring power of literature to provide escape, foster critical thinking, and inspire acts of defiance. It highlights the solidarity that forms between these women as they navigate a world determined to silence them.

• The Magician's Prophecy: The film features "The Magician," an intellectual companion (played by Arash Marandi) who appears and disappears throughout Azar's life. He delivers a crucial line at the end: "You can leave Tehran, but Tehran will never leave you," symbolizing the lasting impact of her experiences and connection to her homeland, even in exile.

Summary: "Reading Lolita in Tehran" tells the story of Azar Nafisi, an English literature professor in post-revolutionary Iran who, after leaving the University of Tehran due to escalating oppression, secretly gathers seven female students in her home. In this hidden sanctuary, they defy the regime by reading forbidden Western classics like "Lolita" and "The Great Gatsby." The film intertwines these literary discussions with the students' personal struggles and their acts of quiet resistance, exploring how literature fosters freedom, identity, and solidarity in the face of tyranny.

Why to recommend movie: For a Powerful Story of Literary Resistance and Female Strength

An Essential Watch for Its Timely Message and Unforgettable Performances.

• For Fans of Inspiring True Stories: Experience a compelling adaptation of Azar Nafisi's acclaimed memoir, a testament to the human spirit's resilience.

• To Witness the Power of Literature: See how forbidden books become tools for liberation, fostering intellectual and personal freedom in oppressive circumstances.

• For Strong Female-Led Narratives: Be moved by the solidarity and courage of a group of women defying a restrictive regime, elevated by the authentic performances of its exiled cast.

• To Understand Contemporary Iran: Gain insight into the socio-political realities of revolutionary Iran, resonating powerfully with current global movements for women's rights.

• For Its Humanistic Approach: Appreciate director Eran Riklis's focus on individual human experiences and emotions amidst broader political upheaval.

Movie Trend: Literary Adaptations as Political Commentary

Books Brought to Life to Reflect Current Struggles. "Reading Lolita in Tehran" fits squarely within the trend of literary adaptations used as potent political and social commentary. This trend sees filmmakers turning to acclaimed books, especially memoirs or historical fiction, to shed light on real-world issues of oppression, human rights, and resistance. These films leverage the emotional and intellectual depth of the source material to create timely narratives that resonate with contemporary struggles, often focusing on marginalized voices or periods of significant social upheaval. The choice to adapt such a universally recognized memoir underscores the power of literature in illuminating difficult truths and inspiring solidarity.

Social Trend: Global Women's Rights Movements and Resistance to Authoritarianism

The Echo of Voices Demanding Freedom. The film deeply connects with the contemporary social trends of global women's rights movements and the ongoing resistance against authoritarian regimes and patriarchal systems. In light of recent protests and movements, particularly the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement in Iran, the film's portrayal of women clandestinely seeking knowledge, removing their veils, and asserting their voices resonates with urgent relevance. It speaks to the universal human desire for freedom, self-determination, and intellectual liberty, emphasizing how even seemingly small acts of defiance—like reading forbidden books—can be powerful forms of rebellion against oppressive forces. The film highlights the continuous struggle for basic human rights and dignity in the face of censorship and moral policing, making it a timely and poignant commentary on current geopolitical and social landscapes.

Final Verdict: A Vital and Moving Portrayal of Courage and Literary Power

Eran Riklis's "Reading Lolita in Tehran (2024)" is a vital and deeply moving cinematic adaptation that powerfully conveys the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tyranny. Anchored by the compelling performances of its cast, particularly Golshifteh Farahani, and strengthened by the real-life experiences of its exiled actresses, the film transforms a book club into a potent symbol of intellectual and personal resistance in revolutionary Iran. Having already garnered significant acclaim and multiple awards at prestigious film festivals (including the Audience Award at Rome Film Fest), "Reading Lolita in Tehran" is a testament to the enduring power of literature, sisterhood, and the unyielding pursuit of freedom. Its timely themes make it a poignant and essential watch, reminding audiences of the ongoing global struggles for dignity and self-expression.