Representation of Social Issues in Iranian Cinema Over the Past Four Decades (1981-2021)

Document Type : researcher

Authors
faezeh Hosseinnazar 1
lida kavousi 2
seyed mohamad mahdizadeh 3
1 student at Allameh Tabatabae'i University
2 assistant professor at Allameh Tabatabae'i University
3 professor at Allameh Tabatabae'i University
10.22034/scm.2025.512649.1864
Abstract
Therefore continuous understanding and analysis of these issues from different perspectives are crucial for maintaining the dynamism and cohesion of society In this regard cinema with its unique capacity to represent social realities can depict and present various social and civil issues in new and dynamic forms. This study aims to investigate how social issues have been represented and was shaped in cinema over the past 4 decades, focusing on selected and popular films from this period. The research method is qualitative, based on thematic analysis of 5 popular films selected from different presidential terms: Kani Manga, Viper, The Snowman, The Exiles 2 and Centipede. The research findings indicate the presence of 25 core themes and 5 prominent recurring categories, namely war, enemy, homeland, solidarity, and hypocrisy across the five selected films. Additionally, the main categories reflect a consistent and recurring perspective on war in the films Viper, Kani Manga and The Exiles2; enemy in Viper and The Exiles 2; homeland in Kani Manga and The Snowman; solidarity and unity in Kani Manga and The Exiles 2 and hypocrisy in Centipede and The Exiles 2. This representation and shaping of reality also occur under 4 discourses: the sanctity of war, femininity, sanctity avoidance and socially critical discourse, which have emerged over four decades respectively. In sum, the efforts of filmmakers to maintain balance in society have covered a spectrum from neglecting social issues to giving them special attention with various genres.
Keywords
Social issues
Iranian cinema
representation and shaping
popular films
Subjects
 
Abdollahi, M., et al. (2006). Study of social issues in Iran. Tehran: Payame Noor University. (In Persian)
Agababaee, Ehsan; Rieck, Katja.(2023).  "The Representation of Social Classes in Iranian Cinema During the Reformist Era 2001–2005". Contemporary Review of the Middle East. Volume 10, Issue 2. https://doi.org/10.1177/23477989231162255.
Alexander, V. (2012). Sociology of the arts (A. Rawdarad, Trans.). Tehran: Academy of Arts. (In Persian)
Allah Moghimi, Habib(2020). "Exploring Iranian Daily Life by Analysing Iranian Cinema". A thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences The University of Sydney. September.
Azkia, M., Mirzaei, H., & Javanmard, E. (2007). Rural society in the mirror of Iranian cinema: A study of films from 1932 to 1978. Cultural and Communication Studies, 3(10), 29–50. (In Persian)
Benjamin, W. (1935). "The Work of art in age of mechanical reproduction, Source: http//pixels.filmtv.vcla.du/gallery/web/julian-scoff/Benjamin.
Clarke, V. and Braun, V. (2013) Teaching thematic analysis: Over-
Cohen, Stanley. (1972). "Folk Devils and Moral Panics", New York City: St. Martins Press.
coming challenges and developing strategies for effective learning.
Dyer, Richard .(2005). "White, in Film Theory: Critical Concept in Media and Cultural Studies", London: Routledge.
Esterberg, Kristin G. (2002). "Qualitative methods in social research.", University of Massachusetts-Lowell: MC Graw Hill, Boston Burr Ridge.
Federstone, M. (1991). Aestheticizing everyday life (M. Kermpour, Trans.). Arghanoon Quarterly, 19, 187–222. (In Persian)
Foucault, M. (2022). Order of things (Y. Emami, Trans.). Tehran: Research Institute for Cultural and Social Studies. (In Persian)
Fromm, Erich. (1972). "Escape from Freedom", New York City: AVON.
Gardfaramerzi, M. (2014). Crime and criminology in Iranian cinema. Cultural and Communication Studies Quarterly, 34. (In Persian)
Givian, A., & Sarvi Zargar, M. (2009). Representation of Iran in Hollywood cinema. Journal of Cultural Studies, 8, 147–177. (In Persian)
Hadavi, M. (2012). Analysis of the story “Haji Agha-Sadegh Hedayat” based on the reflection theory. Quarterly of Sociology of Art and Literature, 4(1). (In Persian)
Hall, Stuart(1997). "The Work of Representation", In Cultural Representation and Signifying Practice, Sage Publication.
Kaveh, M. (2012). Social pathology (Vol. 1). Tehran: Sociologists. (In Persian)
Lidchi, Henrietta(1997). The Poetics and the Politics of Exhibiting Other Culturers, In Cultural Representation and Signifying Practice, Sage Publication.
Makinajad, K. (2014). Base-superstructure model in sociology: Marx, Durkheim, Weber. Tehran: Naqd Afkar. (In Persian)
Mashounis, J. (2016). Social issues (H. Naeibi, Trans.). Tehran: Research Institute of Culture, Art, and Communication. (In Persian)
Monadi, M. (2007). A sociological introduction to socialization. Tehran: Jeyhoon Publications. (In Persian)
Mortazavi-Qohi, F., & Monadi, M. (2011). Sacred defense in the passage of Iranian cinema. Quarterly of Iranian Association for Cultural and Communication Studies, 7(25), 127–148. (In Persian)
Neumann, Franz. (2009). "Behemoth", Chicago: Ivan R. Dee. 18
Rastegar, Y., Aghababai, E., & Raskhi, Z. (2019). Representation of social issues in post-Islamic Revolution Iranian cinema. Strategic Research on Social Issues in Iran, 8(4), 57–74. (In Persian)
Rojek, Chris(2003). Stuart Hall, Polity Publications.
Rojek, chris(2007). Cultural Studies, Polity Press.
Rwomire, A. (2001). "Social Problems in Africa: New Visions, Westport", Conn: Praeger.
Sheikhzadeh, M., & Bani-Asadi, R. (2020). Content analysis: Concepts, approaches, and applications. Tehran: Logos. (In Persian)
Shiani, M., & Mohammadi, M. A. (2007). Youth issues in Iran: A sociological analysis of economic anomie among young people. Journal of Social Welfare, 25. (In Persian)
Sourlen, P. (2000). Cinema of European countries (H. Ahmadi Lari, Trans.). Tehran: Soroush. (In Persian)
Stam, R. (2014). Introduction to film theory (E. Norouzi, Trans.). Tehran: Sooreh Mehr. (In Persian)
Taleban, M. R., Mobasheri, M., & Mehrayin, M. (2010). Examining the process of value transformation in Iran, 1974–2009. Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, 2(3), 23–63. (In Persian)
Technology and Cinema Studies Development Office. (n.d.). Statistical yearbook of film sales and Iranian cinema. Tehran: Iranian Cinema Organization, Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. (In Persian)
The Psychologist, 26 (2).
Vosoughi, M., & Nik-Khalgh, A. A. (2004). Fundamentals of sociology. Tehran: Behineh. (In Persian)
Watson, James and Hill, Anne(2006). Dictionary of Media and  Communication Studies, 7th Edition, Hodder Arnold Publication.
Yazdanju, P. (2004). Screening of thought: Chapters in the philosophy of cinema. Tehran: Nashr Markaz. (In Persian)
Yousefi, A. (2011). A sociological reflection on identification and prioritization of social issues in Iran. Quarterly of Social Issues in Iran, 2(1). (In Persian)
Zakaei, M. S. (2023). The art of conducting qualitative research: From problem identification to writing. Tehran: Agah. (In Persian)
 
 
Society Culture Media
Volume 14, Issue 55
Summer 2025
Pages 181-216

  • Receive Date 15 March 2025
  • Accept Date 01 May 2025