Opinion | Can a revolution happen at home for Iranian women?

Iranian society experienced a period of upheaval in the wake of the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement, one of the most significant political uprisings in Iran since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The movement began in 2022 when Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman charged with violating hijab law, died after being arrested by moral police. Many Iranians supported the demonstrators who demanded more freedoms for women and an end to the veil requirement; The regime responded with brutal raids.

I grew up in a family where women are forced to wear the hijab – even in intimate gatherings – due to pressure from our more religious family members. I respect their beliefs, but forcing them on the entire family felt like a form of authoritarianism that reflected the strict rule of the theocratic regime. When the protests broke out, it was important for me to take a stand within my family.

The Iranian regime and other authoritarian leaders benefit from pitting religious and non-religious people against each other, leading them to believe that peaceful coexistence is not possible. In this short documentary, “A Move,” I wanted to show how resistance based on love and respect can lead to understanding; how there is room for disagreement and nuance without violent confrontation or alienation from “the other side.”

I was inspired by women fighting for their rights around the world, and I made this film to encourage others not to give in to the pressure of having their freedom of choice taken away, even if it comes from their loved ones. I hope that everyone around the world becomes more understanding of the importance of living together and that we refrain from imposing our beliefs on each other.