Darya Majlesi

Growing up with a documentary filmmaker father, I was exposed from a young age to the art of capturing personal narratives through a lens—be it the pain of losing a kindergarten friend or the richness of ancient Iranian legends. By my senior high school years, my passion for cinema and filmmaking was undeniable. I diligently pursued this interest and was accepted into Tehran's most prestigious art university, ranking among the top 100 examinees in the country on my SATs. I completed my BA in Theatre with a GPA of 3.88, earning the title of “Gifted and Talented Student.” This distinction allowed me to enroll in the MA program without conditions or exams. In the summer of 2023, I successfully defended my MA thesis on “The Analysis of Stylistic Developments in Acting during the Three Decades after the Iranian Revolution,” achieving an excellent grade and a cumulative GPA of 3.90. During my BA and MA studies, I produced four documentary films and directed theatrical performances, which were screened at national and international film festivals.

Supervisor: Dr. Rosanna Maule

Thesis: Résistance sociale et censure d'État dans le cinéma indépendant iranien depuis la fin de l’ère des réformes (2005-2023)

Research Interests:

Reflecting on Iran’s 2022-2023 “Women, Life, Freedom” movement, sparked by the tragic death of 21-year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of the “Morality Police,” I recognized the profound impact of women’s bravery against oppression. This period, marked by political instability post-1979 Islamic Revolution, highlighted cinema's role as a powerful medium for voicing societal concerns. My graduate research aims to trace the evolution of film in portraying the socio-political and professional challenges women face under the Islamic Regime, scrutinizing the extent to which portrayal of women as per Sharia and regime-approved narratives affect national cinematic space.

Portfolio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ljTcIsHMolNM4t_rORk7Ff_aPOm_5Um3/view?usp=share_link

Instagram: @daryamajlesi