The United States, and the international community at large, continues to pursue a strategy of belligerent threats and sanctions against Iran. With Barack Obama’s election many Iran watchers breathed a sigh of relief, as the new incoming president had campaigned on a promise to hold unconditional talks with Tehran. Once in office, however, the new administration’s commitment to diplomacy proved weak, and once again the U.S. was rallying the world to support “crippling sanctions” that were quickly passed by both the United Nations and the U.S. Congress. These actions have only strengthened the hand of hardliners within Iran, weakened pro-democracy movements, and made life more difficult for ordinary Iranians. Undoubtedly, the Iranian people are suffering as a result and are now one step closer to a military attack from the U.S.

Cultures of Resistance supports a different approach: one based on citizen diplomacy, grassroots solidarity, and cross-cultural understanding. For this short film we interviewed a number of Iranian artists who recalled their people’s history of suffering from foreign intervention and who demonstrate their commitment to peace.