Mrs. President: Women and Political Leadership in Iran

Shahla Haeri, the director of Boston University's Women's Studies Program, is the producer of this interesting if rather repetitive documentary focusing on six of the 47 women who registered as candidates in the 2001 Iranian presidential election but were eventually removed from the ballot by the so-called Guardian Council, which found that a constitutional clause prohibited the election of a female president. Mrs. President consists largely of excerpts from interviews with the would-be candidates, who vary widely--some seem well-educated and progressive in their political views, while others are ordinary, traditionalist, if well-intentioned housewives (and one claims to be a visionary). All, however, are respectful of the governing authorities, and repeatedly refer to the Koran and Islamic teachings to buttress their contention that their religion does not exclude women from positions of leadership; unfortunately, their remarks are used to make these same points repeatedly. The interviews are interwoven with sporadic footage of political rallies as well as some “life goes on” segments, and by commentary from two female journalists, but this material is distinctly ancillary. Sure to be valuable in academic Middle Eastern and women's studies, this is optional elsewhere. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)