Director: Nader T. Homayoun

Cast: Rakhshan Banietemad, Bahram Beyzaie, Farokh Ghafari

Iran A Cinematographic Revolution is an Iranian documentary directed by Nader T. Homayoun, a filmmaker based in France, tracing the arc of Iranian cinema across one of the most transformative periods in the country's modern history. The film draws on rare archival material and interviews with key figures from the Iranian film world.

What is Iran A Cinematographic Revolution about?

Through firsthand testimony and historical footage, this documentary examines how Iranian cinema evolved before and after the 1979 revolution. Focusing on the art form's social dimensions, the film charts how filmmakers responded to shifting cultural and political conditions, how stories changed, and how the identity of Persian-language cinema was reshaped over decades. Directors, actors, and critics reflect on works that defined generations, offering an account of an industry that persisted — and transformed — through dramatic national change. The result is a chronological portrait of a film culture caught between tradition and upheaval.

Cast & crew

The documentary was directed by Nader T. Homayoun, an Iranian artist residing in France whose work engages with Persian cultural history. Among those appearing in the film are Rakhshan Banietemad, one of Iran's most prominent directors known for socially engaged drama; Bahram Beyzaie, a foundational figure in Iranian film and theatre; and Farokh Ghafari, a pioneering director whose career bridged pre- and post-revolution eras.

Context & significance

For Persian-speaking viewers outside Iran, this documentary provides a rare opportunity to see the history of Iranian cinema examined from within its own artistic community. Iranian film has long held an internationally recognized place — directors such as Beyzaie helped establish a distinct aesthetic tradition that persisted through radical social change. For diaspora audiences who grew up watching Persian films, or who are curious about the cultural landscape their families came from, this film offers context for why Iranian cinema looks and feels the way it does. It places well-known titles and directors inside a broader historical frame, making it equally accessible to devoted cinephiles and newcomers to the genre.

Where & how to watch

Iran A Cinematographic Revolution is available on K-Time with Persian audio. Watch on any web browser, on your TV, or on your phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, no extra download required. Start or cancel anytime.