Runaway

Streaming video - 2001

This film is set in a refuge for girls in Tehran and follows the stories of five girls who arrive there. These girls, in leaving a situation that has become intolerable, show incredible courage and resourcefulness. The film explores their experience of male authority, their longing for respect and freedom, and their hopes for a brighter future. The centre is run by the dynamic and charismatic Mrs Shirazi, who protects the girls from their families and helps them to renegotiate their relationships. The film shows how Iranian women are learning to challenge the old rules, and how rapidly their country is changing.