El Gouna Film Festival

Director

Steffi Niederzoll

Steffi Niederzoll, is a versatile artist with a background in audiovisual media arts. She honed her craft at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM) and the Escuela de Cine y Televisión in Cuba (EICTV) from 2001 to 2007. Steffi's short films have earned acclaim at prestigious national and international film festivals, including Berlinale. As a member of the "1000Gestalten" collective, she contributed to impactful performances globally. Steffi co-authored the book How to Become a Butterfly with Shole Pakravan, set to be published by Berlin Verlag in 2023. Seven Winters In Tehran is her debut feature film.

SEVEN WINTERS IN TEHRAN(2023)

Silver (2023)

Feature Documentary Competition, Germany, France, Farsi - 97 min

Director

Steffi Niederzoll

Germany, France | 2023 | 97 min | Farsi

Producer Knut Losen, Melanie Andernach
Production Company Made In Germany Filmproduktion
Screenplay Steffi Niederzoll, Sina Ataeian Dena
Cinematography Julia Daschner
Editing Nicole Kortlüke
Sound César Fernández Borrás, Andreas Hildebrandt
Cast Zar Amir Ebrahimi
Contacts
International Sales: Cercamon, dorian@cercamon.biz; Middle East Distributor: Front Row Filmed Entertainment sa@frontrowent.ae

About the Film

Seven Winters in Tehran is a powerful and deeply moving documentary that sheds light on the heartbreaking story of Reyhaneh Jabbari, a young

Iranian woman executed for defending herself against her rapist. This film, directed by Steffi Niederzoll, not only serves as a testament to Reyhaneh's courage and resilience but also highlights the broader issues of justice, women's rights, and the impact of the death penalty in Iran.

The film weaves together a compelling narrative using a combination of original audio and visual materials, some of which were secretly smuggled out of Iran. These materials provide an intimate look into Reyhaneh's life and her family's unwavering fight for justice. The use of authentic mobile-phone recordings, despite their technical limitations, adds a layer of emotional authenticity to the storytelling.

Niederzoll's sensitive direction and patient editing choices ensure that the film doesn't resort to sensationalism but instead focuses on the human story at its core. The reenactments, done without actors, offer a unique and tasteful approach, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the narrative without distractions.

What sets this documentary apart is the genuine empathy it evokes, not only for Reyhaneh but also for her family and even those connected to her assailant. Shole, Reyhaneh's mother, stands out as a symbol of compassion and forgiveness as she attempts to communicate with her daughter's rapist's son, Jalal. This complex portrayal of adeeply conflicted society challenges simplistic judgments, making the film even more thought-provoking.

Seven Winters in Tehran is a timely and urgent film that demands attention, especially in the wake of ongoing human rights issues in Iran. It humanizes the statistics, urging viewers to empathize with the individuals behind the numbers. It's a call to action, imploring us to understand the profound impact of the death penalty on families and society as a whole.

Raman Chawla

SEVEN WINTERS IN TEHRAN (2023)

Silver (2023)

Share:

About the Film

Director

Steffi Niederzoll

SEVEN WINTERS IN TEHRAN(2023)

Silver (2023)

Share:

#GFF

El Gouna Film Festival . All rights Reserved © 2024, front.terms_of_use

Designed & Developed By: