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In the summer of 2007, 19-year-old Reyhaneh Jabbari meets with a new client, a former agent of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, who attempts to rape her. In self-defence, she stabs him and flees. Later that day, she is arrested and charged with his murder. Over the next seven years, Reyhaneh endures life in prison while she and her family fight a legal battle in her defence. In her documentary debut, director Steffi Niederzoll retells the story of Reyhaneh’s case, which garnered the world’s attention and international pressure for her release. Through secretly recorded videos and the voice of Zar Amir Ebrahimi (Best Actress, 2022 Festival de Cannes for Holy Spider) as Reyhaneh, we follow Reyhaneh as she stares down pending execution. Resolute in her stance against her accusers, she sheds light on the injustices women in Iran face and becomes a symbol of resistance and women's rights. Heather Haynes

This documentary includes challenging and/or triggering subject matter. Our Active Listeners are available if you’d like to speak with someone after viewing the film. All conversations with Active Listeners are confidential.

Credits

  • Director(s)

    • Steffi Niederzoll
  • Producer(s)

    • Melanie Andernach
    • Knut Lodsen
  • Co-Producer(s)

    • Laurent Lavolé
    • Céline Loiseau
    • Miléna Poylo
    • Gilles Sacuto
  • Associate Producer(s)

    • Eva Laass
    • Sina Ataeian Dena
  • Writer(s)

    • Steffi Niederzoll
  • Editor(s)

    • Nicole Kortlüke
  • Cinematography

    • Julia Daschner
  • Composer

    • Flemming Nordkrog
  • Sound

    • César Fernández Borrás
    • Andreas Hildebrandt
    • Jocelyn Robert

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