Director: Ali Atshani
Cast: AmirHossein Mousavi, Pejman Bazeghi, Mahdi Sharaki
Selfie ba Democracy is a 2023 Iranian drama-comedy film directed by Ali Atshani, running 93 minutes. The film takes a satirical lens to themes of civic participation and political expression, set within a contemporary Iranian social landscape.
What is Selfie ba Democracy about?
A group of ordinary citizens find themselves entangled in the contradictions of modern civic life as they pursue a simple act of self-documentation — taking a selfie — that becomes unexpectedly loaded with meaning. What begins as a lighthearted gesture gradually reveals deeper tensions between individual desire, social expectation, and the idea of democratic participation. The characters navigate their daily circumstances with humor and unease, each bringing a different perspective to questions that touch on identity and belonging. The film uses the premise of a small personal act to open up larger questions about public life in contemporary Iran, balancing comedic moments with more reflective dramatic passages.
Cast & crew
The film is directed by Ali Atshani, an Iranian filmmaker working in the drama and comedy space. The cast includes AmirHossein Mousavi, Pejman Bazeghi, and Mahdi Sharaki — three Iranian actors whose combined screen presence anchors the film's ensemble dynamic and helps sustain the balance between its lighter comedic register and its more grounded dramatic underpinning.
Context & significance
Iranian cinema has a long tradition of embedding social commentary within accessible genres, and Selfie ba Democracy fits that lineage — using comedy and drama together to examine questions that resonate well beyond the country's borders. For diaspora viewers, the film offers a window into contemporary Iranian everyday life and the particular textures of navigating public and private identity in that context. The title's use of the English word 'selfie' alongside the concept of democracy signals an awareness of global cultural currency while remaining firmly rooted in a local Iranian perspective. The film speaks to universal experiences of self-expression and civic belonging in ways that travel well to audiences outside Iran.
Where & how to watch
Selfie ba Democracy is available to stream on K-Time with original Persian audio. No VPN is needed and there is no extra download required. Watch on the web, your TV, or your phone, and cancel anytime.