REBEL FLESH presents films made by women filmmakers that examine the impact of revolutionary upheavals on families and the relationships that are shaped—and often shattered—by the brutal demands of ideological regimes. Focused on experiences in Iran or in the Iranian diaspora, these works reveal the impossibility of selfhood within systems that demand absolute obedience, highlighting how defining oneself becomes an act of revolt. In this context, the simplest acts of self-expression become revolutionary. These films capture the fleeting moments of freedom where individuals assert their identities, fight for their memories, and strive to memorialize themselves in ways that reflect their true selves, not the versions dictated by authoritarian forces. The program also considers the paradoxical relationship between religious authority and bodily control. It explores how regimes that define themselves through the regulation of bodies inadvertently provoke resistance through the very expressions they seek to suppress. Through intimate stories and diverse cinematic expressions, these films offer a powerful exploration of sovereignty, rebellion, and the enduring struggle to reclaim one's body as a site of personal and political autonomy.

REBEL FLESH is curated by Homa Sarabi and is co-presented by ArteEast and UnionDocs. This program is part of the legacy program Unpacking the ArteArchive, which preserves and presents 20 years of film and video programming by ArteEast. Selections from REBEL FLESH will be screened in-person at UnionDocs on February 19 followed by a discussion with Yasman Baghban and Nazanin Norouzi moderated by the curator. For more information about the in-person screening uniondocs.org. The full program will be screened online on artearchive.org from February 14 - 23, 2025.