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Forced Confessions

Forced Confessions

Forced Confessions pulls the mask off a regime that brutally extracts lies from its citizens. For the first time on film, six victims of Iran's torture chambers speak. These are not criminals, but writers, journalists, and scholars.

The film is narrated by Director Maziar Bahari, who himself was used as a 'poster boy for subversion' and forced to falsely admit to orchestrating street protests in 2009.

We meet Faraj Sarkoohi, the editor of the most popular literary magazine in Iran during the 1980s and 90s. Put through a mock execution, Faraj had a remarkable experience that shows the power of the human spirit over terror and even death.



Ali Afshari and Omid Memarian are activists and bloggers who had to flee Iran after their arrest and torture, and now work on behalf of human rights and freedom of expression.

Ramin Rahanbegloo is a philosopher and follower of Gandhi and the Dalai Lama, whose belief in non-violence led the Islamic regime to accuse him of plotting a 'soft overthrow.'

In a tribute the life and death of journalist Siamak Pourzand, his wife Mehrangiz Kar and daughter Leily Pourzand speak about his passion for cinema and his decision to commit suicide after years of physical and mental abuse: a final act of defiance against the Islamic state.

This is the story of the Iranian regime's attempt to legitimize its rule through force, and how the Iranian people continue to speak truth to power - whatever the cost.

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