Farzaneh Forouzesh's 2022 debut film explores Iranian womanhood through surreal storytelling

Born in 1989, Iranian artist Farzaneh Forouzesh is celebrated for her poetic abstraction. Her 20-minute film, And Her Sleeve Wet with Tears, debuted in 2022, presenting intimate glimpses into women's experiences through a unique mix of social realism and surrealism. Drawing inspiration from Iran's rich poetic heritage and filmmakers such as Ingmar Bergman, one scene portrays a mother and daughter reflecting on intergenerational trauma while viewing Bergman's 1978 film, Autumn Sonata. Forouzesh, who studied music at Tehran University of Arts, also serves as a film critic and translator. In 2024, artist Shirin Neshat acknowledged her work, which delves into women's desires and autonomy, steering clear of the passive victim stereotype and embracing complex emotions.