Where God Is Not review – victims of torture by the Iranian secret police re-enact their abuse

Empowering for some, deeply traumatic for others, the former detainees in Mehran Tamadon’s documentary paint a harrowing picture of systematic maltreatmentMehran Tamadon’s probing film operates a kind of dialogue with his related documentary My Worst Enemy, as it creates sequences in which victims of abuse by the Iranian secret police re-enact their ordeal. In this one, the title is taken from the brutal words sprung upon a prisoner by their jailer who declares that, within the forbidding walls of the prison, God simply does not exist. As Tamadon’s interview subjects reconstruct their cells in various warehouses in Paris, their testimony lays bare how terrifyingly true that statement is.Once an entrepreneur dealing in video equipment for major Iranian news stations, Mazyar Ebrahimi was falsely accused of espionage and assassination. With extraordinary calm, he demonstrates the various methods of torture inflicted on his body, with Tamadon role-playing the part of the detainee. In a pivotal scene, Ebrahimi gets to reclaim his narrative and briefly steps behind the camera, as Tamadon recreates a news broadcast where Ebrahimi was forced to confess to baseless charges of murder. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Trump cheers West Point for ‘smartly’ cancelling awards ceremony for ‘WOKE’ Tom Hanks

Independent

Comments

Culture

Trump cheers West Point for ‘smartly’ cancelling awards ceremony for ‘WOKE’ Tom Hanks

Daniel Craig earning praise for ‘electric’ performance in new Knives Out sequel

Stephen King reveals his 10 favorite movies

Michael Caine, 92, to return for Last Witch Hunter sequel with Vin Diesel

Classic children’s character Bagpuss to make big screen return

BBC confirms major change to Strictly for first time in 21 years

Graham Linehan: I don't regret my online posts

Rick Davies, Singer and Co-Founder of Supertramp, Dies at 81

Britain’s National Gallery Expands Collection to 20th-Century Works

Sir Michael Caine, 92, comes out of retirement for surprise role with action icon

Sydney Sweeney reveals why she ‘absolutely loved’ her physical transformation for Christy film

Emma Thompson’s daughter was ‘very excited’ for them to star in film together

Every time Brian Cox has blasted Nigel Farage after labelling him a ‘bully’

Murdochs reach deal in succession battle, cementing conservative lean

Mirror and Express owner to cut over 300 jobs

What's the world's best apple? We asked an 'expert'

Book Review: ‘Listening to the Law,’ by Amy Coney Barrett

5 Highlights From Christoph von Dohnanyi’s Recording Career

With Task, the Mare of Easttown writer has another hit on his hands

New Banksy artwork to be removed from Royal Courts of Justice

New teen thriller 'Sisters in the Wind' finds drama in hidden identities

Highlights from the VMAs, from Mariah Carey's first win to Lady Gaga's magic act

Hollywood Actors and Directors Pledge to Boycott Israeli Film Institutions

5 Highlights From Christoph von Dohnanyi’s Recording Career

Teen Titans actor claims he was fired by Warner Bros after going public with Parkinson’s diagnosis

Taika Waititi and Rita Ora to turn Fyre Festival fiasco into a stage musical

Today cast shake up as long-time contributor announces departure

MasterChef confirms Grace Dent and Anna Haugh are replacing Gregg Wallace and John Torode

Actress claims shocking incident caused her to quit ‘one of the biggest shows on TV’

Harpist Brandee Younger embraces a broad range of jazz on 'Gadabout Season'

'Bluegrass is where my heart is,' Grammy-winning musician Billy Strings says

Christoph von Dohnanyi, Conductor With a World of Admirers, Dies at 95

Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood hints at band’s 2025 tour setlist

Doja Cat appears to eat lipstick in bizarre VMAs red carpet moment

Trump cheers West Point for ‘smartly’ cancelling awards ceremony for ‘WOKE’ Tom Hanks

SNL, Obama and Kendrick Lamar among winners at the Creative Arts Emmys

Critically acclaimed film hailed as ‘powerful’ now available on Netflix

‘It’s Evita but set in a psych ward’ — Maia Novi’s play Invasive Species lands in London

Olivia Colman among 1,300 refusing to work with firms ‘implicated in genocide’

Dracula rises again: Umi Myers on a new show with its teeth on the pulse

TV star admits she ‘regrets saying yes to Strictly’ 10 years ago

Wrestling world champion, 36, ‘wanted to retire’ after devastating WWE exit

Ian McEwan on why humankind 'will scrape through'

Lewis Capaldi and Louis Tomlinson head up Radio 1 Live Lounge month

Portrait of Shakespeare's possible lover found

New MasterChef hosts revealed after Wallace and Torode axed

Rick Davies, Singer and Co-Founder of Supertramp, Dies at 81

Death of Arts Patron Who Made Disputed $10 Million Donation Is Ruled a Suicide

Jacques Charrier, Movie Star Who Wed Brigitte Bardot, Dies at 88

Ian McKellen skips new film premiere due to medical advice

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert wins first-ever Emmy weeks after being canceled

Young Sheldon actor Emily Osment finalises divorce less than a year after wedding

The Girlfriend on Prime Video review: Robin Wright serves up high-camp melodrama at its best

TV fans are obsessed after ‘ruthless game player’ takes £2,800 all for herself

All the stars rumoured for I’m A Celebrity 2025 so far as TikToker ‘joins line-up’

New Banksy artwork is quickly covered up at iconic location

Olivia Colman, Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton among 1,300 filmmakers to boycott Israeli film companies

After 6 years, Hollow Knight Silksong is here at last — and it was worth the wait

New Banksy Work Seen as Comment on Crackdown on Palestine Action Supporters

Howard Stern dupes media into reporting that he parted ways with SiriusXM with wild cancellation prank