Rakhshān Banietemad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rakhshan Banietemad رخشان بنی‌اعتماد
Banietemad, March 2014
Born	Rakhshan Banietemad (1954-04-03) April 3, 1954 (age 71) Tehran, Iran
Occupation	Film director Producer Screenwriter
Spouse(s)	Jahangir Kosari (1979–present)
Children	Baran (b. 1985) Tandis (b. 1975)

Rakhshān Banietemad (Persian: رخشان بنی‌اعتماد) was born on April 3, 1954, in Tehran, Iran. She is a famous Iranian film director and screenwriter. Many people call her the "First Lady of Iranian Cinema." This is because she has played a very important role in Iran's film industry.

She is known for making movies that mix big political ideas with personal and family stories. Her films often look at real-life problems in Iranian society. She shows these issues through the lives of her characters.

Her movies often talk about many different topics. These include the changing roles of women, poverty, war, and problems at home. She also explores how people move up in society. Banietemad shows the tough parts of life but also gives a feeling of hope for things to get better.

Many of her films focus on women. Characters like Tooba, Nobar, and Sara show different experiences of women in Iran. These characters sometimes appear again in her later films. This helps to show how Iranian society and culture change over time.

In 2002, her film OurTimes (Ruz-egar-e ma) made history. It was the first documentary movie ever to be shown in movie theaters in Iran.

Early Life and Education

Rakhshan Banietemad was born in Tehran, Iran, on April 3, 1954. She grew up in a middle-class family. Her parents wanted her to become a teacher. However, Rakhshan was interested in film from a young age.

When she was a teenager, she decided to study film. She earned a special degree in film studies from the Dramatic Arts University in Tehran. Before this, she had thought about studying architecture. But then she took an exam for a stage assistance course and got accepted. She studied both for a short time. The next year, she chose to focus only on film directing.

Career Highlights

Starting in the 1970s and 1980s

After finishing her degree in 1973, Banietemad started working. She was a script supervisor for the Iranian television network IRIB. Later, in 1980, she began directing TV documentaries. Her films always show a lot about Iran's society and economy.

In 1981, Banietemad started working in cinema as a script supervisor. She worked on films like The Liegemen and Chrysanthemum. She directed her first full-length movie, Off the Limits, in 1987. She then directed Canary Yellow in 1988.

Success in the 1990s and 2000s

Banietemad became very famous in 1991 with her film Nargess. She won the Best Director Award at the Fajr Film Festival. This was a big moment because she was the first woman ever to win this award at the festival.

Since then, she has won many more awards for her films. She won a Bronze Leopard Award for The Blue-Veiled in 1995. In 2001, she won the Best Foreign Language Film Award for Under the Skin of the City.

Her 2002 documentary Our Times was very important. It was the first time a female filmmaker openly talked about the Iran-Iraq war. This film was also the first documentary shown in Iranian movie theaters. It was also featured at big film festivals like IDFA and Sundance.

In 2004, her film Gilaneh was released. This movie is seen as an anti-war film. It was nominated for several awards at the Fajr Film Festival. The actress in Gilaneh, Fatemeh Motamedaria, won best actress.

Films from 2010 to Today

Banietemad continued to direct movies in the early 2010s. These included Mainline and Tales. In Tales (2014), she wove together seven different stories. Some of her famous female characters from older films appeared again. This showed how important her work is for showing women in Iranian cinema. Tales was even chosen to compete for the Golden Lion award at the 71st Venice International Film Festival.

She also kept making documentaries. She worked with younger filmmakers on projects like Hey, Humans (2016). She also worked on The Karastan film series (2013-2017).

Filmmaking Style

Banietemad has a special way of making movies. She mixes techniques from documentaries with fictional storytelling. Her films often show the difficulties faced by people in Iran who are not rich. She also focuses on single women, single mothers, and complicated family lives. Sometimes, her characters even talk directly to the camera. This is different from how most documentaries are made.

Her films also look at the strong connections between mothers and their children. This theme comes from her own experiences as a mother in Iran. This focus shows how Iranian women are expected to balance their personal lives with their roles as mothers. This is especially true in a society where men often hold more power.

Banietemad has said that real people she met while making documentaries inspire her feature films. For example, the story of Nargess came from a documentary about homeless women. The character of Touba in Under the Skin of the City was inspired by a documentary about working women.

Banietemad is known for being interested in strong female characters. She believes Iranian women are key to the country's future. She often shows their strength and ability to overcome challenges.

Even though her work features many strong female characters, Banietemad does not like to be called a "feminist filmmaker." She has said that this word can have a negative meaning in Iran. Instead, she focuses on the struggles of all people, no matter their gender. She prefers not to be put into any specific group.

Legacy and Awards

Rakhshan Banietemad has received many honors for her work. She was given an honorary degree from SOAS in 2008. This is a special award that recognizes her achievements.

Personal Life

Rakhshan Banietemad is married to Jahangir Kosari, who is also a film producer in Iran. Their daughter, Baran Kosari, is a well-known Iranian film actress. Baran started acting when she was young. She has appeared in her mother's films and many other Iranian movies.

Helping Others

Rakhshan Banietemad is also known for her kindness. She donated the money she won from her international prize for the movie Ghesseh-ha. This money was used to build a shelter for women who do not have homes. She has also given some of her other awards to help women who are struggling.

Filmography

Feature Films

Documentaries

• Karestan Documentary films (artistic consultant), 2013–17:
  • Poets of Life
  • Puzzleys
  • Mother of the Earth
  • MAHAK: A World She Founded
  • Friends at Work
  • Flax to Fire
• Hey, Humans (Ay, Adamha), 2016
• One Hour in a Lifetime (Yek saat az yek omr), 2015
• All My Trees (Hameh derakhtan-e man), 2015 which exmained the work of Mahlagha Mallah
• The Other Side of Mirrors (An sooy-e ayeneh ha), 2014
• The Mirrors Recital (Concert-e ayeneh ha), 2014
• The Concert of the Lords of Secrets (concert-e khodavandan-e asrar), 2014
• Mahak My Home (Khaneh man Mahak), a teamwork, 2014
• Keep Children in School (Bacheh ha ra dar madreseh negahdarim), a teamwork, 2012
• The Room No. 202 (Otahgh-e 202), part of Kahrizak 4 Views, 2012
• I’ll see you Tomorrow Elina (Farda mibinamet Elina), 2010
• We Are Half of Iran's Population (Ma nimi az jameiat-e Iranim), 2009
• Angels of the House of Sun (Hayat khalvate khaneh khorshid), 2009
• Second Home (producer), Director: Mahvash Sheikholeslami, 2008
• 3D Carpet (Farsh-e 3 Bodi), Part of "Iranian Carpet", 2007
• Our Times… (Ruzegar-e ma…), 2002
• The Last Visit with Iran Daftari (Akharin didar ba Iran Daftari), 1995
• To Whom Do You Show These Films? (In filmha ra beh ki neshun midin?), 1993
• Spring to Spring (Bahar ta bahar), 1993
• The 1992 Report (Gozaresh-e 71), 1993
• Centralization (Tamarkoz), 1986
• The War Economic Planning (Tadbirha-ye eqtesadi-e jang), 1981
• Occupation of Migrant Peasants in the City (Mohajerin-e roustai dar shahr),1980
• The Culture of Consumption (Farhang-e masrafi), 1979

Honors and Awards

• Honorary Golden Cyclo, 23rd Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema (France), 2017
• Ethics and Prayer Award for social and civilian activities (Iran), 2016
• Cinema Honorary Award, 4th International Women Film Festival (Afghanistan), 2016
• Cinema Honorary Award, 6th International Crime & Punishment Film Festival (Turkey), 2016
• Special Jury Prize, Kahrizak 4 views, Dubai International Film Festival (UAE), 2012
• Prix Henri Langlois, Vincennes International Film Festival (France), 2010
• Special Jury Prize, We Are Half of Iran's Population, (WIFTS) (USA), 2009
• Achievement in Directing, Mainline, Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Australia), 2007
• Best Director & Best Actress, Mainline, Iran Cinema House Awards (Iran), 2007
• Artistic & Cultural Achievement Award, Kara International Film Festival (Pakistan), 2004
• Prince Claus Prize for Culture and Development (The Netherlands), 1998
• "Il Sindaco di Firenze” Peace and Freedom Award (Italy), 1998
• Best Asian Woman Director, The Blue Veiled, India International Film Festival (India), 1996
• Best Film, Off the Limits, Comedy International Film Festival (Italy), 1987
• The Prince Claus Award, 1998
• Honorary doctorate, SOAS, University of London (2008)
• Chairperson International jury, at 52nd International Film Festival of India, Goa 2021.

Professional Distinctions

• Jury Member, Venice International Film Festival (Italy), 2017
• Academy Oscars Member, Writers Branch, 2017
• President of the jury, Vesoul Film Festival (France), 2017
• President of the jury, Prague Iranian Film Festival (Czech), 2017
• President of the jury, Image Film Festival (Iran), 2016
• President of the jury, Cinema Verite International Film Festival (Iran), 2013
• President of the jury, Busan International Film Festival (South Korea), 2013
• Master Class, California Institute of the Arts (USA), 2013
• Jury Member, Shanghai International Film Festival (China), 2012
• Jury Member, Dubai International Film Festival (UAE), 2010
• Jury Member, Asiatic Film Mediale Festival (Italy), 2010
• Master Class, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis (USA), 2010
• Jury Member, Fribourg International Film Festival (Switzerland), 2010
• Jury Member, Urban International Film Festival (Iran), 2009
• Producer, Heiran, feature-film (Iran), 2009
• Producer, Second House, documentary (Iran), 2008
• Honorary Doctorate, University of London (Iran), 2008
• Master Class, School of Oriental and African Studies, SOAS (England), 2008
• Master Class, Geneva University of Art & Design (ESBA), 2008
• Jury Member, Cinema Verite International Film Festival (Iran), 2007
• Jury Member, Women's Film Festival (Iran), 2006
• Jury Member, Asian Cinema, Fajr International Film Festival (Iran), 2006
• Jury Member, Art University Student Festival (Iran), 2005
• Director, Sony Young Directors Film Festival (Iran), 2003
• Jury Member, Asia Pacific Film Festival (Iran), 2003
• Jury Member, Sony Young Directors Film Festival (Iran), 2002
• Jury Member, Moscow International Film Festival ( Russia), 2002
• Jury Member, Cairo International Film Festival (Egypt), 2002
• Jury Member, Fajr International Film Festival (Iran), 2001
• Jury Member, Montreal World Film Festival (Canada), 2001
• Jury Member, Youth Film Festival (Iran), 2001
• Jury Member, Student Film Festival (Iran), 1999
• Jury Member, Leipzig International Film Festival (Germany), 1999
• Jury Member, Tokyo Environmental International Film Festival (Japan), 1998
• Jury Member, New Delhi International Film Festival (India), 1998
• Jury Member, Student Film Festival (Iran), 1997
• Jury Member, Locarno International Film Festival (Swiss), 1996
• Jury Member, Turin International Film Festival (Italy), 1995
• Jury Member, Center for Iranian Film Directors (Iran), 1993
• Jury Member, Roshd Film Festival (Iran), 1992
• Jury Member, Fajr International Film Festival (Iran), 1990

See also

In Spanish: Rakhshān Banietemad para niños

• Persian women's movement
• Langerood (village of Espili in Gilan)