terrestrial verses

Directors’ Note of Intention With “Terrestrial Verses,” we, as co-directors, set out to explore and provide a vivid portrayal of the ways in which power operates in contemporary Iranian society, drawing upon Michel Foucault’s seminal concepts of biopolitics and biopower. Through our exploration of this complex subject, we examine how totalitarian regimes impose their control over the most intimate aspects of an individual’s life, specifically their bodies, sexuality, and identity. With a series of self-contained tableaux, we depict an eerily realistic, often absurd, and surreal portrayal of how Iranian citizens are born and live within a totalitarian system that governs every aspect of their lives. This comprehensive regulation not only penetrates the lives of individuals and communities but also strips away any private space in which any form of resistance can grow. We aim to highlight the ways in which the state seeks to control and regulate the lives of its citizens, prompting the audience to question the true cost of living in a society that values control over autonomy. In this journey, we reveal how citizens turn and twist every possibility to forge a private space in which they can resist the regime, despite the oppressive nature of the totalitarian regime. “Terrestrial Verses” seeks to provide a poignant commentary on the importance of individual freedom and the need for a private space in which resistance can thrive. Through our exploration of these complex themes, we aim to inspire viewers to think critically about the ways in which power operates in their own lives. Our film intends to provoke thought and reflection, and to encourage viewers to seek out their own individuality and autonomy, even in the face of oppressive systems of control. Ultimately, “Terrestrial Verses” aims to provide a cinematic exploration of biopolitics and biopower, bringing to light the ever-present threat of totalitarian regimes and the need to be ever-vigilant to protect our individuality and freedom as the most precious and inalienable aspects of human existence.