Women, life, freedom: an iranian revolution

September 2022, Tehran: The arrest and murder of Mahsa Amini for “improper hijab” triggers an unprecedented insurrection. Within hours, a spontaneous movement forms around the rallying cry: “Woman Life Freedom,” spreading rapidly across Iran. Women, for the first time, lead this charge: they flood the streets, removing and burning their veils, the despised symbol of the Islamic Republic. As young men and students join, the entire Iranian population, across all demographics, rises up, marking a historic turning point after 40 years of oppression and economic ruin.

Social media explodes with activity. The Iranian diaspora, too, mobilizes tirelessly, setting aside differences to present a united front. The world watches in awe at the strength of this movement, prompting the question: could this revolution finally topple the regime? Initially caught off guard by the scale of the revolt, the Supreme Leader responds with fierce repression, imprisoning tens of thousands. A wave of extreme violence sweeps the nation, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Yet, fear has changed sides. Even public executions fail to quash the people’s resolve. Over the months, the resistance adapts, evolving its tactics with each arrest and risk. But one question remains: what will be the decisive factor to end this dictatorship?

Exiled Iranian activists’ testimonies suggest a tipping point is near. However, documenting the situation on the ground posed significant challenges. The country has shut its doors, and speaking to foreign media now carries the risk of execution. Despite this, some took the risk to be filmed, sharing their stories of the revolution from within. Their identities have been protected. We also chose to broadcast the only existing footage of this uprising: videos—sometimes horrifyingly brutal—shot by the protesters themselves to expose government atrocities and celebrate the people’s victories.