MetroWeekly.com – Review by Yusef Najafi
Date: Saturday, 10/18/2008, Time: 11:00 am
Venue: Goethe-Institut, Tickets: $10 Buy tickets online
Type: Feature presentation, Language: Farsi with English subtitles
Metro Weekly Rating: starstarstar (3 out of 5)
Filmed in Iran, The Birthday documents a young man’s transition into womanhood in a country where women are generally oppressed. And while Iran has gained notoriety for offering gender-reassignment surgery since the Quran makes no mention of it being forbidden, The Birthday sheds light on the great depth of uncertainty that accompanies the procedure in the country. Directors Negin Kianfar and Daisy Mohr illustrate that uncertainty by showing Mahtab speak to her doctor weeks before the surgery. He warns her to be prepared for the worst.