Light & Shadow: Iranian short films by Hossein Jamshidi Ghowari

We are pleased to invite you to a special screening of Sayeh-Roshan (Light and Shadow), a series of short documentary narratives directed by Hossein Jamshed Ghahari.

Friday, August 28, 7pm
Das Freie Wort, Rögergasse 24-26, Souterrain right

Sayeh-Roshan is a collection of short stories based on real observations from the days of the imperialist failed invasion on Iran. These narratives, told across twelve episodes of four to five minutes each, are voiced by individuals who witnessed those moments firsthand. Rather than focusing on geopolitical interpretations or political debates, the project centers on lived experience: on the human dimension of war as seen, felt, and remembered by ordinary people.

The series was conceived during the early days of the conflict, at a time when creative work seemed uncertain and suspended. It emerged from a fundamental question: what role can storytelling play in moments of crisis? In response, the director and his collaborators set out to document fragments of everyday life under extraordinary conditions: capturing both the hardships and the acts of solidarity that often go unnoticed.

Throughout its development, Sayeh-Roshan remained committed to preserving the authenticity and diversity of these voices. Despite suggestions to alter or omit certain parts to meet external expectations or platform constraints, the project maintains its original form, reflecting a deliberate choice to remain faithful to the multiplicity of perspectives it seeks to represent.

At its core, Sayeh-Roshan is grounded in a simple yet urgent premise: that speaking about people’s lived experiences without censorship is both necessary and meaningful. Especially in times when conflict is often instrumentalized or abstracted, these stories return attention to the individuals who endure its realities.

We are honored to welcome the director, Hossein Jamshed Ghahari, who will be present online at the event. He will be joined by two of the narrators featured in the films, Hoda Jamshedi and Ava Jamshedi, who will share their perspectives and experiences as authentic female voices from Iran beyond the “white feminism” war propaganda that has dominated the Iran narrative.

Hossein Jamshed Ghahari is an Iranian film director, editor and visual storyteller, known for his work on prominent films such as Latari, Atabai, and Mogheiyat Mehdi. His work has been recognized with several awards and nominations, including Best Editing at the Tehran International Short Film Festival and the Hafez Awards, as well as a nomination for the Crystal Simorgh at the Fajr Film Festival. His background in editing informs a precise and intimate narrative style, where attention to detail and rhythm enhances the emotional impact of personal testimony.

This screening is an invitation to engage with these narratives attentively—to listen, to reflect, and to recognize the lives behind the headlines.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Organised by Committee “No War on Iran” and “Antiimperialistische Koordination”