Femininity (); is a 2020 Iranian feature documentary film written and directed by Mohsen Ostad Ali and produced by Ostad Ali and Alireza Alavian under the Sana Production banner. The film is set in Tehran's only night shelter for homeless women and follows five residentsâÂÂSanaz, Saeedeh, Tala, Ladan, and BeheshtâÂÂas they struggle to rebuild their lives amid trauma, addiction, and social stigma. It has been described by critics as an intimate, humanistic portrayal of marginalized women in Iran, focusing on resilience and solidarity.
Femininity takes place in a women's night shelter in southern Tehran, the only such center open to homeless women in the city. The film follows five womenâÂÂSanaz, Saeedeh, Tala, Ladan, and BeheshtâÂÂeach with a distinct story, but united by their shared space and desire for change. Through a raw, observational style, Ostad Ali explores their attempts to overcome past abuse, drug addiction, and social exclusion, revealing moments of empathy and quiet transformation.
The documentary was written, directed, and produced by Sana Production. Cinematography was by Farhad Talebinezhad, editing by Babak Heidari, and the original score composed by Sattar Oraki. Sound mixing was handled by Alireza Alavian. International distribution is managed by Raft Films.
Femininity premiered at the Cinéma Vérité in Tehran in December 2019, where it won the Special Jury Prize. It later screened at several international festivals, including:
Festival catalogs and international reviewers praised the film for its empathetic treatment of marginalized subjects and minimalist visual style. Asian Movie Pulse highlighted its âÂÂhumanistic power and quiet emotional rhythm,â while Iranian critics cited it as one of the most significant independent documentaries of the decade.
Mohsen Ostad Ali (born 1982, Tehran) is an Iranian documentary filmmaker and producer. A graduate in cinema, his work often centers on social and humanistic issues. His previous films include We Will Get Used to It, which also won awards at international festivals such as IDFA, Uppsala, and Hong Kong.