Lion Women 2011
Distributed by Landmark Media Inc., 3450 Slade Run Dr., Falls Church, VA 22042; 800-342-4336
Produced by Gry Winther
Directed by Gry Winther
DVD, color, 53 min.
College - General Adult
Human Rights, Middle Eastern Studies, Women’s Studies
Date Entered: 08/08/2011
Reviewed by Alexander Rolfe, Technical Services Librarian, George Fox University, Newberg, ORLion Women documents the peaceful struggle Iranian women are waging to roll back some of that country’s most repressive laws. Since the overthrow of the Shah in 1979, women have had few rights, and the situation has worsened over the last four years. Parvin Adalan, Esha Momeini, and others have been working on collecting one million signatures in support of changing the ten worst laws. These women speak about the work they do and the persecution and obstacles they face.
Many had high hopes for the 2009 election, which showed a widespread desire for greater freedom. But, to borrow a line from Tom Stoppard, “it's not the voting that's democracy, it's the counting.” Ahmadinejad and the hard-liners stayed in power. The freedom of expression that was briefly allowed in the weeks preceding the election quickly disappeared.
The struggle continues, through the One Million Signatures Campaign, and through the courts. One of the women interviewed is Shirin Ebadi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003. It’s poignant to see these lawyers work with so little legal recourse open to them, and to see the signature-collectors working despite their fear. This documentary is a fitting tribute to their heroism. The film gives sufficient background, but it focuses on their experiences rather than attempting to tell the modern political history of Iran.
The only technical issue I encountered was the prevalence of white subtitles on mostly-white backgrounds. At several points it was hard to read what was being said.
Recommended