Our Summer in Tehran

Jewish-American filmmaker Justine Shapiro builds her documentary around a trip to Iran to meet with other middle-class mothers like herself. Shapiro wants to see the country, she says, "before our sons meet on the battlefield." After a year of planning, Shapiro takes her 6-year-old son, Mateo, with her for six weeks of filming (Shapiro is divorced from his father). Her Iranian-American producer, Marjaneh Moghimi, puts her in contact with three families willing to speak on camera. Although Shapiro has official approval to film, she still has to dress accordingly (hijab and loose-fitting outfits) and expect visits from a government agent. Shapiro first meets with Leili Rashidi, a divorced actress, and her son, Sina. Mateo bonds with Sina over a shared love of soccer, but the young American cries when they miss a match due to the anniversary celebrations for the Ayatollah Khomeini. Next, Shapiro meets with the more conservative but gracious Torabi family, who have two daughters, Elaheh and Houra. Dr. Morteza Torabi works for the right-wing Revolutionary Guards, while Marjan is a pharmacist. Lastly, mother and son visit with Babak and Maryam Foroudian and their son, Daniel, who is studying English. Shapiro is surprised to find that many Iranian women work and that 60% of college students are female. Nonetheless, the country suffers from a serious "brain drain," since an estimated 150,000 to 180,000 students leave the country each year. She also winds up getting along so well with Marjan that the two remain in contact, despite their political and religious differences. An eye-opening look at Iranian middle-class life, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)