Prof. Shaherzad Ahmadi on the History of Iranian Cinema

Shaherzad Ahmadi is an assistant professor of history at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Professor Ahmadi’s talk will offer a history of Iranian cinema, beginning with the first talkie, “The Lor Girl.” I will examine the themes that animated Iranian cinema in the Pahlavi period as well as the transformation of the medium in the post-revolutionary period. The lecture asks, “How did film express Iran’s national aspirations, gender roles, and class tensions?” “Why did film become such an important art form in the post-revolutionary period?” and “How did Iranians challenge Hollywood’s dominance in the industry?