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This documentary profiles Iranian attorney Shirin Ebadi, who was awarded the
Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her efforts for democracy and human rights, in
particular the struggle for the rights of women and children. Shirin Ebadi
- A Simple Lawyer features an in-depth interview with Ebadi conducted in
her Tehran office, speeches at numerous international conferences, and a visit
to the children's center she founded.
Appointed the first female president of the Tehran City Court in 1975, Ebadi
lost her position following the Islamic Revolution in 1979, when women were
forbidden to serve as judges. She was readmitted to the bar in the early 1990's
when, as an attorney, she began to challenge Iran's religious courts over a
wide variety of issues-including human rights, freedom of expression, political
prisoners, and democratic reform-demonstrating the need for an overall reform
of the Iranian justice system.
Indeed, Ebadi argues that the most serious problem in Iran today is the misuse
of religion and that judges must be independent of the Islamic government. She
points out, for example, that although women in Iran are taking a more active
role in social life, including increased attendance at universities, the status
of women has actually regressed since the Islamic Revolution.
Despite her increased fame since receiving the Nobel Prize, Ebadi retains a
sense of humility. She points out that Iran, of all countries, should be aware
of the danger of personality cults, and that she has no desire to be a
spokesperson or role model for Iran's 70 million citizens. As the film makes
clear, however, although Shirin Ebadi may consider herself merely "a
simple lawyer," her committed pursuit of peace, justice and human rights,
despite recent death threats, has made her an international symbol of Iran's
current struggle for democracy.
A First Run/Icarus Films movie. 48 minutes.
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