Negar Azarbayjani : 2011
Aynehaye Rooberoo
Rana, a traditionally devout wife with conservative values, is secretly working as a taxi driver in Tehran to support her family whilst her husband is in a debtors' prison. Although a woman driving a taxi isn't illegal, it's considered highly dangerous and unsuitable. Edi, previously a woman named Adineh, is desperately trying to get a passport in order to return to Germany to have gender reassignment surgery. He is trying to avoid an angry father wanting to marry his daughter off as soon as possible, to put an end to what he views as shame brought upon the family. Even though a ruling under Islamic Law in 1979 may sanction gender reassignment in Iran, it is not necessarily accepted in general society. Fleeing from a group of men his father has sent to kidnap him, Edi flags down the taxi driven by Rana. At first Rana is overwhelmed when Edi tries to explain that he is really trans, but as they realise that despite their differences they have a lot in common, the bond that forms between them helps each to navigate the narrow path their society allows. In time an unlikely friendship develops, transcending social class and ethical differences. Negar Azarbayjani's film, her debut feature, premiered at Montréal World Film Festival 2011 and won Best First Feature at San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2012.
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