{"id":107499,"date":"2024-09-11T10:22:58","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T14:22:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=107499"},"modified":"2024-09-11T14:00:01","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T18:00:01","slug":"scrutiny-tiff24-sisters-tale-documents-struggles-women-singers-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2024\/09\/11\/scrutiny-tiff24-sisters-tale-documents-struggles-women-singers-iran\/","title":{"rendered":"SCRUTINY | TIFF24: A Sisters’ Tale Documents The Struggles Of Women Singers In Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Filmmaker
Leila Amini and sister Nasreen (Photo courtesy of TIFF)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cMy sister Nasreen once filled our home with her beautiful voice,\u201d Iranian filmmaker Leila Amini writes in a director\u2019s statement<\/a>. \u201cHowever, she stopped singing when pressured to marry Mohammad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Women do not have the right to sing in public, as decreed by Iranian law since the revolution of 1979. According to the Islamic Penal Code, women singing in public is an \u201cact against public modesty\u201d and is punishable by imprisonment.<\/p>\n

Yet, there is an underground scene of recordings and videos that thrives online \u2014and it comes with a clear risk. In August 2024, popular artist Esmaeili<\/a>, who became famous for her videos singing in public without a hijab, was arrested by security forces, and is currently being held in prison.<\/p>\n

A Sisters’ Tale is documentary film, and, in essence, the gift Leila has given her sister: that of having a voice that will be heard beyond the boundaries of her home.<\/p>\n

\"Nasreen
Nasreen and her family in A Sisters’ Tale (Photo courtesy of TIFF)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Film<\/h2>\n

Amini spent seven years working on the documentary, which saw its International Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. She captures Nasreen\u2019s journey in intimate scenes of her home life as she chafes under the oppressive restrictions placed on women under Iranian Islamic rule.<\/p>\n

While Nasreen\u2019s father encouraged his daughter\u2019s gifts, her family also pressured her to agree to an arranged marriage with Mohammad, a man she never loved, and who saw her only in terms of her domestic roles. She gave up her music because of his disapproval, and got only responsibilities in return.<\/p>\n

Leila\u2019s statement continues, \u201cOver the years, Nasreen dedicated herself to being an excellent wife and mother. Yet, Mohammad primarily saw his role as working outside the home, leaving Nasreen longing for the simple joys and affections of married life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Hana was born, Nasreen confided in me, \u2018I\u2019m growing old, and I\u2019m terrified. My only achievement in life is being the mother of two kids.\u2019 I sensed a significant change in her. She decided to pursue her lifelong passion for singing, even though singing in public is forbidden for women in Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n