Azadeh Navai's film 'Rizoo' centers on an eight-year-old girl navigating the complexities of wearing a hijab while living in Iran. Inspired by her own childhood experience, Navai highlights how young girls often confront societal norms around the hijab, even before they reach puberty. The film conveys not just the challenges involved, but also the resilience of families to instill joy despite pervasive discrimination and censorship in their environment. The protagonist Rizoo seeks an I.D. to pursue a swimming class, symbolizing a quest for personal freedom within cultural constraints.
In Iran, girls are legally required to wear the hijab when they hit puberty, but parents often have their much younger daughters photographed wearing a scarf so that the photo can be used for years.
"I made 'Rizoo' for people to see ordinary Iranian life. I'm hoping for people to realize that, despite the constant discrimination and censorship in Iran, we find ways to bring joy into our lives."
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