Discover Inspiring Documentaries Celebrating Iranian Women Artists at TMoCA Cinematheque

In a remarkable celebration of women’s contributions to art and society, the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA) is hosting the “In Women’s Words” exhibition. Alongside this exhibition, the museum’s cinematheque is introducing a weekly screening program that focuses on documentaries highlighting the lives and works of influential women artists. This program kicks off on Sunday with two compelling documentaries: “How Strange Is Love, Which Is Pain and Cure” and “Mokrrameh, Memories and Dreams”.

The first documentary, “How Strange Is Love, Which Is Pain and Cure,” is directed by Keyvan Alimohammadi and Omid Bonakdar. This 20-minute experimental film delves into the life of the acclaimed late artist Iran Darroudi. It presents a multi-layered narrative exploring profound themes of pain, liberation, and self-discovery.

Iran Darroudi (1936-2021) was a pivotal figure in Iranian modern art. Her work is renowned for its surreal paintings, featuring Iranian-themed imagery and stunning lighting effects. Throughout her career, Darroudi split her time between Tehran and Paris, where she honed her unique artistic style. Her extensive contributions have left a significant mark on the Iranian art scene.

Born in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province, Darroudi pursued her education in the history of art at the École du Louvre in Paris. She also studied stained glass at the Royal Academy of Brussels and television direction and production at the RCA Institute in New York.

• Her first solo exhibition took place in Miami in 1958, invited by the Florida State Art Center.
• Darroudi’s works have been showcased at notable venues, including:
• Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
• LA University in Los Angeles
• Virginia Tech University in Virginia
• The United Nations in New York
• La Galleria Gallery in Mexico
• Miami Beach Art Center in Florida
• Atrium Artist Gallery in Geneva
• Galarie 21 in Zurich
• In addition to painting, Darroudi was an art critic and contributed articles to the Iranian newspaper Kayhan.
• In 1968, she directed a 55-minute documentary about the Venice Biennial.
• She was appointed an honorary professor at the Industrial University of Tehran, where she taught art history.
• In 1976, she exhibited at the Mexican Museum of Art, receiving praise from Spanish painter Antonio Rodríguez Luna as one of the world’s four greatest painters.

The second documentary, “Mokrrameh, Memories and Dreams,” is 48 minutes long and tells the inspiring story of Mokarrameh Ghanbari, a self-taught artist from northern Iran. Despite starting her painting journey later in life at the age of 63 in 1991, Mokarrameh created remarkable works that reflected her vibrant surroundings and personal memories.

Born in Dari Kandeh village in northern Babol County, Mazandaran Province, Mokarrameh’s artistic expression blossomed after she faced health challenges that limited her ability to work on her farm. Her journey into painting began as a means of emotional expression. After her children sold her cows—her beloved companions—to alleviate her workload, she fell into a deep depression. Her first painting was a portrait of one of those cows, symbolizing her longing and grief.

Encouraged by a friend who provided her with paper and colored pencils, Mokarrameh explored her artistic talents in secrecy, fearing judgment from her neighbors. She painted late into the night, often using the walls of her home and discarded materials as canvases. Her son eventually recognized her passion and supplied her with more materials, which led to a prolific period of creativity where she even began making her own paints from natural dyes.

Over the years, Mokarrameh’s work gained recognition, leading to her first exhibition in 1995 at Tehran’s Seyhun Gallery, followed by several more in the subsequent years.

• Her works have drawn comparisons to those of Russian-born French surrealist Marc Chagall (1887-1985).
• Mokarrameh’s art has been showcased in over 40 exhibitions, including:
• The Bowers Museum in California
• In 2001, she received an honorary certificate at the Conference of the Foundation of Iranian Women’s Studies in Stockholm.
• She was named the year’s exemplary woman and recognized as the “Female Painter of 2001” by the Swedish National Museum.

Mokarrameh Ghanbari passed away at the age of 77 in 2005 and was laid to rest in the courtyard of her home. In honor of her legacy, her house was registered as a museum by the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, ensuring that her artworks continue to be preserved and celebrated.

The documentary screenings will occur every Sunday at 4 p.m. in the museum’s cinema hall, located on North Kargar Street, next to Laleh Park. Admission is free and open to the public, allowing everyone to experience the rich narratives of these remarkable women.

Since its launch on July 23, the “In Women’s Words” exhibition has spotlighted 121 works by modern Iranian women artists. The exhibition, curated by Afsaneh Kamran, Toka Maleki, and Sajjad Baghban Maher, features notable artists such as Monir Farmanfarmaian, Behjat Sadr, Parvaneh Etemadi, Farideh Lashai, and Leyly Matin Daftari.