The plays and films of Bahram Beyzaie: origins, forms and functions

Bahram Beyzaie is one of Iran’s leading auteur filmmakers. This book examines several of Beyzaie’s films and plays and their preoccupation with the modalities of Iranian contemporary, historical and mythical identity, from different perspectives. The chapters analyse plays such as Ārash and So Dies Pahlevān Akbar and films such as Bashu, the Little Stranger, Killing Mad Dogs and Uncle Moustache from a range of critical perspectives including ecofeminist, mythopoetic and socio-political readings. They also explore Beyzaie’s use of genre, different Iranian languages, and the representation of religious themes. Together, the chapters show how Beyzaie’s works negotiate narratives of belonging in Iran, and how they use the resources of Iranian folk and performance traditions to comment on the position of women, children, intellectuals, and minorities in society.