Our Summer in Tehran 2011
Distributed by Cinema Guild, 115 West 30th Street, Suite 800, New York, NY 10001; 212-685-6242
Produced by Justine Shapiro, Marjaneh Moghimi
Directed by Justine Shapiro
DVD, color, 59 min.
Jr. High - General Adult
Middle East, Political Science, Multicultural studies, Religious Studies
Date Entered: 10/04/2012
Reviewed by Katherine Bertel, MLSToo frequently, the media portrays Iranians as protesters, aggressors, and victims who are always outside in the streets. At a critical time for Iran, this documentary seeks to portray Iranians in their homes as mothers, fathers, children, and grandparents. Our Summer in Tehran follows Justine Shapiro, a Jewish-American filmmaker, as she travels to Tehran with her six-year-old son Mateo where they spend the summer exploring middle class life in Iran. We are transported into the lives of three very different families: a religious family with ties to the government; a modern, secular family; and a single mother working as an actress.
Our Summer in Tehran helps shed a light on the similarities that exist between our value systems in the West—a love of family, respect—which helps to create a better understanding of the people of Iran. The film does not seek to provide answers to the problems facing middle class families in Iran, instead, it merely provides a glimpse into the conflicts, challenges, and concerns faced by modern day Iranians. However, there is not much depth to the perspective portrayed in film because only religious families are interviewed and it is uncertain whether their opinions were truthfully expressed for fear of repercussions from the government.
Our Summer in Tehran is recommended for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of a people and culture that are routinely demonized in Western media.
A four page discussion guide is available on the film’s website.