Four key series and films to understand Iran: from espionage in Tehran to the Islamic Revolution
While the events in Iran have not been portrayed on screen as extensively as other places, there are still outstanding works that are well worth watching.
Just as with World War II, the Cold War, or the Iraq War, film, television, and literature offer powerful ways to explore armed conflicts and the political and social realities behind them. The same is true of Iran.
It may not be a setting that has been mined as heavily as others, but it is deeply compelling, especially given everything happening in the world right now. With that in mind, here are four excellent series and films to help better understand Iran.
Argo (Film)
What it’s about:
Starring Ben Affleck, this film is based on real events, specifically a CIA mission during the Iran hostage crisis. On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took numerous American diplomats and civilians hostage. To carry out a rescue plan, CIA agent Tony Mendez infiltrates Iran using an unusual cover story: he pretends to be part of a film crew scouting locations for a fake movie called Argo.
Where to watch:
Currently only available to rent or purchase on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple+.
Tehran (Series)
What it’s about:
This three-season political thriller centers on the tensions between Israel and Iran. It follows a young hacker named Tamar Rabinyan, an operative for Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency. Her mission is to infiltrate Tehran, Iran’s capital, in order to disable the country’s air defense systems and pave the way for an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Things quickly go wrong when a mistake compromises the operation, leaving her stranded in hostile territory.
Where to watch:
Apple TV+
Septembers of Shiraz (Film)
What it’s about:
This historical drama is set in the first months following the Islamic Revolution, also known as the 1979 Revolution. The story revolves around a Jewish family living in Tehran. The father is a jeweler who enjoys a comfortable life until the regime change leads to accusations of espionage against him. From that moment on, he is arrested, interrogated, and tortured, while the rest of the family struggles to survive in a country that has suddenly become dangerous for them.
Where to watch:
Currently only available to rent or purchase on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple+.
The Bureau (Le Bureau des Légendes) (TV Series)
What it’s about:
This French series is highly regarded among fans of spy dramas for its realism and its refusal to rely on flashy gimmicks. It follows a French intelligence officer known as Malotru, who attempts to return to normal life after spending six years undercover in Syria. But reclaiming his identity proves difficult. Along the way, he must train a young recruit and investigate the disappearance of a colleague in Algeria. Although the series is not set exclusively in Iran, it touches on a range of geopolitical conflicts, espionage missions, and covert operations in which Iran emerges as a significant backdrop.
Where to watch:
Paramount+
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