Directed by Iranian filmmaker Pegah Ahangarani, Rehearsals For A Revolution delves into her experience of exile as she rebuilds her life and creative practice in London. The film intricately crafts five portraits of relatives and mentors, each serving as an expression of resistance and a window into Ahangarani's journey.
The documentary is a rich tapestry of personal archives, intimate home videos, potent street protest footage, historical newspapers, and recorded voices. Through these diverse elements, Ahangarani meticulously traces over 40 years of Iran’s tumultuous history, from the pivotal days of 1979 up to a fictionalized war in 2026. It skillfully blends intimate and collective memories, painting a vivid portrait of a nation continually shaped by political repression yet persistently hopeful for revolution.
Rehearsals For A Revolution has already garnered considerable acclaim on the festival circuit. It premiered as a Special Screening at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where it notably won the L’Oeil d’Or (Golden Eye) for best documentary. Following its successful debut, the film continued its impressive run, captivating audiences at both the Telluride Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. More recently, it was honored with an Albie Award from the Maysles Documentary Center, recognizing its inspiring impact and its role as a champion of social justice.
Sony Pictures Classics, which acquired distribution rights for numerous territories including North America and Latin America, announced the UK's selection and detailed their release plans. The distributor plans qualifying runs in New York and Los Angeles in December. The film will then open exclusively at Landmark’s Nuart Theatre in Los Angeles and the Film Forum in New York on January 8, 2027, before expanding to a national rollout in subsequent weeks. Sony Pictures Classics lauded the film's momentum, stating, "*Rehearsals For A Revolution* is building incredible momentum and marking a significant moment for a formidable female filmmaker creating in exile from her home country.” This Oscar selection has the potential to amplify Ahangarani's vital voice and bring this powerful story to a global audience.