Iranian-banned film ‘Circumstance’ reveals international lesbian struggles

Circumstance is a remarkable, multi-layered film that sensitively depicts the struggles of two teenage lesbians, Atafeh (Nikhol Boosheri) and Shireen (Sarah Kazemy), in contemporary Iran. Bisexual writer/director Maryam Keshavarz has made a perceptive drama about minority gender roles; on male authority subjugating women, and on how oppressed people find – or create – their independence.

The story is based in part on Keshavarz’s own experiences as a teenager. She explained that her family is Persian, noting, “that’s a political [statement]; I always say Iranian.” In Iran, she navigated all the restrictions to attend parties, as Atafeh and Shireen do in the film. Circumstance reveals how these teenagers find ways to express themselves sexually and otherwise while living under state control.

The film depicts a family dynamic as Atafeh enjoys a privileged life with her parents Firouz (Sohieil Parsa) and Azar (Nasrin Pakkho). When her brother Mehran (Riza Sixo Safai) returns home he is battling drug abuse. Mehran soon finds recovery in religion and becomes involved in the secret police.

The filmmaker, who lives in the U.S., visited Iran regularly every summer until Circumstance (shot in Lebanon) prompted Iranian authorities to ban her from the country.

“I’ve always had two passports and never had any restrictions in my travel,” she said. “Before I made this movie, I had the unique privilege to be able to go back and forth. Not anymore.”

In addition, Keshavarz revealed that she has been “threatened from anonymous sources, and been railed against by the government.” But she also boasts. “I’ve had emails from hundreds of folks in Iran who are dying to see the film. I’m pretty happy. I had the freedom to make the film,” she said.

Circumstance is about forbidden love, which she said resonates with Iranians.

“Iranians have many layers (because) so much of who they are has to be hidden. What the official state articulation of a person is, is different from reality – the difference between home life and exterior [public] life. And you have that again, on another fold with sexuality – especially women’s sexuality. Even within the relative freedom of the underground world, these girls’ exploration of sexuality is another subculture within a subculture … what they have to hide to express themselves.”

Intertwined themes of gender and sexuality form the basis of the film’s drama. In an early scene, Atafeh secretly passes an origami bird to her girlfriend Shireen. The affectionate moment captures the intimacy of the marginalized characters who dream of escaping to Dubai. But Keshavarz also uses visuals – specifically surveillance video’s – to emphasize the omniscient and ominous power that these young women are constantly subjected to.

Atafeh and Shireen are intimate but Keshavarz makes their sensuality erotic, not explicit. “It was important for me not to desexualize them,” she explained about the inclusion of several racy love scenes. “There are no men in the girls’ fantasies. There is more expressed sexuality in fantasy than in reality. In their real life, it’s very slight what they do. In their fantasy, it’s much more sexual, more erotic. It’s a space where they can really let loose.”

Keshavarz went on, addressing how Middle Eastern women suffer when it comes to representations of sexuality.

Being queer is illegal everywhere in the Middle East except Israel and Turkey. Circumstance navigates queer identity carefully. Keshavarz explained, “More liberal, more educated people can speak about [homosexuality], but it’s dangerous, so it’s like a very controlled conversation with very select people.” But, she noted, “It’s something most people don’t talk about.”

Circumstance is a courageous film showing how Atafeh and Shireen are both victims. It is their reality as well as twists of fate – the “circumstances” of the title – that they must endure in Iran. Sometimes it is physical – women’s bodies are violated.

The film’s powerful ending prompts viewers to reflect on its opening question. “If you could be anywhere, where would you be?”

‘Circumstance’ plays Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Pikes Peak Lavender Film Festival. On the Web at http://pplff.org.