The movie
Seven Winters in Tehran
On March 8, it is International Women's Day—a celebration honoring the achievements of women around the world. To mark this occasion, there will be a screening of the documentary Seven Winters in Tehran, a film that highlights the strength of women.
Length: 97 min
Country: Duitsland, Iran
Language spoken: Farsi, Duits
Language subtitles: Nederlands
Cast:
Director: Steffi Niederzoll
Release date: 08/03/2025
Description
International Women's Day
On March 8, it is International Women's Day—a yearly celebration honoring the social, political, and economic achievements of women around the world. To mark this occasion, there will be a special screening of the documentary Seven Winters in Tehran on March 8, a film that highlights the strength of women.
Seven Winters in Tehran
In July 2007, 19-year-old Reyhaneh Jabbari is attacked by an older man attempting to rape her. She defends herself, stabbing him—he dies. The court does not see this as self-defense but as murder, sentencing her to death. The victim’s family has the power to grant her forgiveness, but only if Reyhaneh retracts her accusation. She refuses—the verdict remains.
Using footage smuggled out of Iran, Reyhaneh’s own video messages and letters, and interviews, director Steffi Niederzoll paints a deeply moving portrait of Reyhaneh’s resilience and the corruption within Iranian society during the seven years leading up to her execution.
Politicians and human rights organizations worldwide attempted to overturn the sentence, and her family tirelessly pleaded for mercy, but the Iranian justice system remained ruthless and unyielding—especially toward women. Yet, something powerful emerged from this tragedy: Reyhaneh became a symbol of resistance against the oppression of women and the fight for women's rights.
Seven Winters in Tehran won the 2023 Cinecitta International Film Festival.
On March 8, it is International Women's Day—a yearly celebration honoring the social, political, and economic achievements of women around the world. To mark this occasion, there will be a special screening of the documentary Seven Winters in Tehran on March 8, a film that highlights the strength of women.
Seven Winters in Tehran
In July 2007, 19-year-old Reyhaneh Jabbari is attacked by an older man attempting to rape her. She defends herself, stabbing him—he dies. The court does not see this as self-defense but as murder, sentencing her to death. The victim’s family has the power to grant her forgiveness, but only if Reyhaneh retracts her accusation. She refuses—the verdict remains.
Using footage smuggled out of Iran, Reyhaneh’s own video messages and letters, and interviews, director Steffi Niederzoll paints a deeply moving portrait of Reyhaneh’s resilience and the corruption within Iranian society during the seven years leading up to her execution.
Politicians and human rights organizations worldwide attempted to overturn the sentence, and her family tirelessly pleaded for mercy, but the Iranian justice system remained ruthless and unyielding—especially toward women. Yet, something powerful emerged from this tragedy: Reyhaneh became a symbol of resistance against the oppression of women and the fight for women's rights.
Seven Winters in Tehran won the 2023 Cinecitta International Film Festival.
