Tehran Taboo (2017)

In the vibrantly animated drama, Tehran Taboo, the intersecting lives of resilient women and a hopeful musician illuminate the paradoxes of contemporary Iranian society. Amidst the pulsating heartbeat of Tehran, a city where strict religious laws and rampant corruption, sex, and drugs coexist, navigating around prohibitions becomes a daily survival strategy and shattering taboos, a path to personal liberation. Yet, the burden of this societal game falls hardest on women, who remain trapped at the lowest tier of this social hierarchy. A young woman wrestles with societal expectations as she seeks an operation to "reclaim" her virginity. A prostitute bartered into granting illicit favors to an Islamic Revolutionary Court judge in return for a favorable decree. A wife, shackled to an incarcerated drug addict, is refused the freedom of divorce she yearns for to build an independent life. Employing the artistry of rotoscope animation, expatriate Iranian filmmaker Ali Soozandeh masterfully crafts a narrative that paints a vivid and insightful portrait of modern-day Tehran, a feat unachievable by any other means.

Tehran Taboo is an animation movie featuring Arash Marandi and directed by Ali Soozandeh.

Tehran Taboo is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Tehran Taboo on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Kino Now, Vudu and YouTube.