The Documentary Podcast

Taraneh: Iran's defiant actress

14 snips
Jan 10, 2026
In this insightful discussion, Pegah Ahangarani, a documentary filmmaker, shares her journey of filming Taraneh Alidoosti's story in secret, highlighting their friendship and the powerful message of defiance against Iran's oppressive regime. Sarbas Nazari, a BBC Monitoring contributor, analyzes the significance of Alidoosti's career and her bold protests amid the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Additionally, Navin Singh Khadka reports on the devastating effects of Cyclone Sinyar on the Tapanuli orangutan population, intertwining human crises with environmental collapse.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Secret Remote Filmmaking With Taraneh

  • Pegah Ahangarani recounts persuading longtime friend Taraneh Alidoosti to make a secret film despite the risks in Iran.
  • They filmed remotely and kept the project hidden to protect Taraneh and the crew.
INSIGHT

Timing Amplified The Film's Impact

  • The documentary released days before new protests began, possibly inspiring bravery among viewers.
  • Pegah sees a small chance the film contributed to renewed public courage on the streets.
INSIGHT

Career Built On Roles About Female Struggle

  • Sarbas Nazari notes Taraneh's film roles consistently depicted women struggling against social norms.
  • Her career choices made her a visible symbol of feminist resistance in Iran.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app