New Showbiz

You are here:
A Dying King: The Shah of Iran

A Dying King: The Shah of Iran

2017

TV-PG

Director

Bobak Kalhor

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

On January 16, 1979, the then Shah of Iran, left Iran commencing what became a 19-month odyssey to exile in Egypt, Morocco, Bahamas, Mexico, US, Panama, and back to Egypt again where he passed away. His death had profound consequences for the future of the middle east and the world, yet the untold medical story of the late Shah of Iran has to date remained a puzzling mystery. This documentary leads viewers to the main causes of the Iranian revolution, pursuant hostage crisis, and the state of relations between the U.S. and Iran.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

5.7/10

Fair

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film focuses on historical political figures and religious movements. There is no discernible presence of LGBTQ+ characters or narratives within the archival framework.

Gender Representation

Fair

The narrative depicts the patriarchal structure of the Pahlavi state. While Empress Farah Pahlavi is a central figure, her role is analyzed within the context of royal domesticity.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Good

The documentary captures the diverse socio-political identities of the Iranian populace. Archival footage moves beyond the ruling elite to include broader, traditional segments of society.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The film explores the tension between secular Westernization and rising religious institutions. It critiques Western hegemony and the Shah's ties to US and UK interests.

Disability Representation

Minimal

The Shah's medical decline is a central plot point, but no characters are portrayed through the lens of disability or neurodivergence.

Strengths

  • Provides a nuanced look at the ethnic and religious complexities of the Iranian people.
  • Strongly critiques Western hegemony and the influence of US and UK interests in the Middle East.
  • Uses archival footage to move beyond the perspective of the ruling elite.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or narratives.
  • Gender roles are depicted through a traditional, patriarchal lens without subversion.
  • Does not utilize disability or neurodivergence as narrative devices for character agency.

AI Analysis

Bobak Kalhor’s documentary provides a complex historical autopsy of the Pahlavi dynasty's collapse. It excels by challenging Western-centric narratives, focusing instead on the friction between modernization and religious tradition. The film effectively uses archival footage to represent the diverse Iranian people caught in systemic upheaval. However, the film remains anchored in traditional hierarchies. The gender representation is limited by a focus on patriarchal structures, and the lack of LGBTQ+ narratives reflects the specific historical and political scope of the subject matter.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.