Exam by Nasser Rafaei (Iran, 2002, 80 minutes, 35mm)

Synopsis:
Every year, millions of applicants take the national test necessary to qualify for university study in Iran. Only a small percentage succeed; however, the nearly impossible nature of the exam does not deter young people from trying to enter higher education and improve their lot in life. Nasser Refaie’s eloquent, gripping debut takes place in one of the designated centers where women are permitted to take the exam. Unfolding in real time, the film begins with the early morning arrival of the applicants and, shifting its focus from girl to girl, exposes the hopes and dreams of a generation.
In Persian with English subtitles.

Opening remarks by Ella Shohat
Post-screening panel discussion with Godfrey Cheshire (film critic, NYC), Roxanne Varzi (NYU)
& Shouleh Vatanabadi (NYU)

Join us for an opening night reception following the screening at the Kevorkian Center, 50 Washington Square South, on the corner of Sullivan Street. Hosted by Arabic Women’s eNews.

Program co-presented by the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality, NYU, and Arabic Women’s eNews

Biography:
Born in 1964, Nasser Refai is the winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 20th Fajr International Film Festival in Tehran for his debut feature Exam. After taking courses in story and play writing, film direction and cinematography, Refai began his professional career as a first assistant director in a number of well-known Iranian films. Subsequently, he made several documentaries, educational and short fiction films and won two awards from Iranian national film festivals. Exam is his debut feature film.

Festivals & Awards:
59th Venice Film Festival, Critics’ Week, 2002
26th Toronto Film Festival, 2002
25th Mill Valley Film Festival, 2002
38th Chicago Film Festival, 2002
Iranian Film Festival at the Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago, 2002
15th Tokyo Film Festival-Wind of Asia, 2002
9th Iranian Film Festival at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, 2002
51st Mannheim Film Festival, Special Jury Award, 2002
Nantes 3 Continent Film Festival, Silver Balloon Prize and Special Mention for Ensemble Cast, 2002
Screening at Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, 2003
Screening at UCLA Film & TV Archive, 2003
Screening at Stockholm Cinemateque, 2003