Discourse Analysis of the Transformation of Social Values in the Family in Iranian Cinema of the 1980s

This study aims to examine the transformation of social family values in Iranian cinema of the 1980s, using Fairclough’s framework of critical discourse analysis. Four films from this decade The Scarecrow, Let Me Live, Shadows of Sorrow, and Longing for Marriage were analyzed. The findings show that these films present a complex representation of discursive struggles between traditional and modern values, set against the backdrop of post-Islamic Revolution socio-political changes, the Iran-Iraq war, economic crisis, and the consolidation of religious ideology.The traditional discourse, centered around patriarchy, fixed gender roles (father as breadwinner, mother as homemaker), the sanctity of marriage, and an emphasis on biological reproduction, is challenged by emerging discourses that advocate for individual autonomy, gender equality, redefinition of motherhood, and acceptance of new forms of family (such as adoption).In The Scarecrow, family cohesion is reinforced through the acceptance of the stepmother's role and social solidarity. Let Me Live highlights the challenges to traditional roles by portraying divorce and women's demand for independence. Shadows of Sorrow redefines the concept of motherhood based on emotional bonds by addressing infertility and the acceptance of adoption. Longing for Marriage depicts the younger generation’s resistance to patriarchal authority and emphasizes professional and educational independence.These films portray the family of the 1980s as a dual institution—both a preserver of official values and a site of tension and gradual transformation toward modern values.