Set in Tehran at night, this animation about damaged people illustrates how dark the world can look when strict religious morals and social regulations are imposed. The characters were created through rotoscoping technique. Hence the film captures shocking images rarely seen in Iranian films. A sex worker takes her hearing impaired son to work. She is preparing to divorce her drug addict husband. A pregnant woman tries to get a job without her husband’s permission. A young bride-to-be has a one-night stand with a musician. While the film follows the strand of each woman’s story, they are also intertwined. Tehran Taboo portrays these women as victims of socially stringent Iran, whatever they are. Their sad stories and struggles to challenge everyday taboos shine through in this stylish animation created in flamboyant colors and modern sound. Tehran Taboo was written and directed by Ali Soozandeh, an Iranian working in Germany. (JEONG Minah)