Context

• Institutional

  - Iranian government heavily censored film output

  - Panahi was banned from making films for 20 years for making films that the gov considered propaganda against the regime

  
  

  TT is an example of a New Iranian Film- these films had conventions:

  - experimental use of form

  - blended fiction and documentary - harder to censor

  - focus on contemporary Iranian issues

  - philosophical debates about society

  - ambiguous resolutions
• Historical and Social

  - Islamic Revolution of 1979 established the theocratic (ruled by priests) state of Iran

  - Filmmakers (like Panahi) have resisted and created films that expose the truth of living under the regime, particularly issues regarding the role of women

  - Panahi's films CANNOT be seen in Iran- there, they are deemed 'unsuitable' for distribution - you'd have to stream them illegally