The Empire Of Evil

The Iran behind the headlines

The Empire Of Evil follows Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Farokhmanesh, who lives in Hamburg but returns to his homeland with a clear intention. He wants to look beyond the simplified and often negative image of Iran frequently presented in foreign media and political rhetoric. His journey begins in Tehran, a vast metropolis of more than fourteen million inhabitants and the heart of a nation shaped by complex history and strict social rules.

Since the fall of monarch Reza Pahlavi in 1979 and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran has functioned as an Islamic republic where authorities enforce religious laws in daily life. Against this political and cultural background, the documentary turns its attention to ordinary people whose personal ambitions and dreams often clash with the limits imposed by their society.

Through intimate portraits, the film introduces several protagonists. Serayesh is a gifted fencer whose career is constrained because, as a woman, she is not allowed to travel abroad to compete. Her husband is a swimmer, yet she cannot attend his races. Another story follows Golsar, a young girl who still enjoys a certain freedom to swim and play music, raising the question of how her life may change as she grows older.

Between these personal stories, The Empire Of Evil observes contemporary Tehran itself. The camera moves from the monumental tomb of Khomeini to bustling shopping streets where crowds search for luxury goods such as Gucci sunglasses. Mosques stand beside modern office buildings, revealing a society suspended between tradition, modernity, restrictions, and personal aspirations.