Mahnaz Mohammadi on Depicting Iran’s Evin Prison in Berlin Film ‘Roya’: ‘You Have to Tell the Story Through the Displacement, Silence and Rupture’

Feb 13, 2026 9:30pm PT Mahnaz Mohammadi on Depicting Iran’s Evin Prison in Berlin Film ‘Roya’: ‘You Have to Tell the Story Through the Displacement, Silence and Rupture’ The dissident director discusses the choices she made in depicting Iran’s notorious prison for political prisoners and intellectuals where she spent time behind bars By Nick Vivarelli Plus Icon Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent @NickVivarelli Latest Mahnaz Mohammadi on Depicting Iran’s Evin Prison in Berlin Film ‘Roya’: ‘You Have to Tell the Story Through the Displacement, Silence and Rupture’ 24 minutes ago Nexo Studios Launches Sales at EFM on Doc About First Millennial Saint Carlo Acutis, Dubbed ‘God’s Influencer’ 15 hours ago Prime Video Drops Italian Original Film ‘Love Me Love Me’ Based on Wattpad Book That ‘Garnered  24 Million Reads,’ Producers Discuss YA Romance Trend (EXCLUSIVE) 17 hours ago See All Courtesy Berlinale Dissident Iranian filmmaker Mahnaz Mohammadi — known internationally for works such as “Women Without Shadows,” “Travelogue” and  “Son-Mother” — is at the Berlinale with “Roya,” about a woman who, just like herself, has been detained in Tehran’s Evin prison for political prisoners and intellectuals. In the Panorama section entry, Turkey’s Melisa Sözen (“Winter Sleep”) plays the titular character, a teacher in solitary confinement who is being forced to either make a televised confession or remain locked up in a three-square-meter prison cell. Related Stories 'Bridgerton' Season 4 Part 2 Trailer: Benedict and Sophie Decide the Fate of Their Relationship in Romantic Ending Lorne Michaels Documentary From 'Won't You Be My Neighbor' Director Morgan Neville Sets April Release Date Mohammadi spoke to Variety about transposing the hell she went through in jail to the big screen.