Reading Lolita in Tehran

Azar Nafisi, a former professor at Tehran University, secretly gathers seven of her most committed female students to read forbidden Western classics. As fundamentalists seize control, the women remove their veils and speak about their intimate hopes, loves, disappointments, femininity, and search for a place in an increasingly oppressive society. By reading Lolita in Tehran, they celebrate the liberating power of literature in revolutionary Iran and form their own future.

Showcasing exceptional performances by Golshifteh Farahani (Paterson) and Cannes Best Actress winner Zar Amir (Holy Spider), the film is a riveting adaptation of Azar Nafisi’s globally celebrated memoir. Directed by acclaimed film director Eran Riklis (The Syrian Bride, Lemon Tree), this powerful narrative honors the resilience of women who, against all odds, stand united against censorship, tyranny, and injustice, finding empowerment in a world determined to silence them. Winner of the Audience Award and Special Jury Prize for the Female Cast at the Rome Film Festival, 2024.

Location: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (L2 Auditorium)