Refocus: The Films of Rakhshan Banietemad

This book is the first English language study of Iranian director Rakhshan Banietemad's films and career. It includes chapters by prominent scholars and younger scholars,and focuses on her documentaries and films,including Under the Skin of the City and Tales. It also includes an in-depth interview with the director.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Introduction:

Iranian director Rakhshan Banietemad is one of the first female film directors in Iran. This book, the first English language study of her films and career, offers new perspectives on well-known works such as The Blue Veiled (1994) and The May Lady (1997). Taking an interdisciplinary perspective, the book devotes special attention to Banietemad's understudied documentaries and films, including Under the Skin of the City (2000) and Tales (2014), while offering new perspectives on well-known works such as The Blue Veiled (1994) and The May Lady (1997). Focusing on questions of aesthetics and poetics, social realism, gender dynamics, and the afterimages and counter-memories of revolution and war, the book also includes an in-depth interview with Banietemad herself.

Chapters:

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Rakhshan Banietemad's Early Life and Education
Chapter 3: The Beginnings of Banietemad's Career in Documentary Filmmaking
Chapter 4: Under the Skin of the City (2000)
Chapter 5: Tales (2014)
Chapter 6: The Blue Veiled (1994)
Chapter 7: The May Lady (1997)
Chapter 8: Aesthetics and Poetics in Banietemad's Films
Chapter 9: Social Realism in Banietemad's Films
Chapter 10: Gender Dynamics in Banietemad's Films
Chapter 11: Afterimages and Counter-Memories of Revolution and War in Banietemad's Films
Chapter 12: An Interview with Rakhshan Banietemad

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Rakhshan Banietemad is a pioneering female film director in Iran who has made significant contributions to the country's cinema. This book provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary study of her films and career, offering new perspectives on her documentaries and films, as well as on her well-known works. The book also includes an in-depth interview with Banietemad, which adds valuable insight into her creative process and her views on Iranian cinema. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Iranian cinema and the career of Rakhshan Banietemad.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 232 x 155 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474477628