Categories
Title
Facing Mirrors
Director
Negar AzarbayjaniDate
2011Origin
IranDescription
Set in contemporary Iran, FACING MIRRORS is a story of an unlikely and daring friendship that develops despite social norms and religious beliefs.
More Information
Although Rana is a traditional wife and mother, she is forced to drive a cab to pay off the debt that keeps her husband in prison. By chance she picks up the wealthy and rebellious Edi, who is desperately awaiting a passport to leave the country. At first Rana attempts to help, but when she realizes that Edi is transgender, a dangerous series of conflicts arises. Directed by Negar Azarbayjani, FACING MIRRORS is the first narrative film from Iran to feature a transgender main character.
Otherness Archive Note:
"At first, Rana is afraid of Edi upon finding out he identifies as a trans man, but as she learns more about what being transgender means, she becomes his biggest ally. This is one of the only films made inside Iran which mainly centres the complexity of being a trans man in Iran, and dangers that may follow due to unsupportive families and laws such as the compulsory hijab laws that also affect trans men as well as women."
- Katayoun Jalilipour, written on behalf of Otherness Archive for #TransLifeFreedom: A list of 5 Iranian films that center trans identities, gender non-conformity and queerness, with a focus on trans masculinity