As you view the film Women's Prison answer the
following questions:
1. Why do you think the photographer Manijeh Hekman, used black and white film to
shoot the opening scene?
To show the sad depressing atmosphere of the jail. - Ricardo Junco
I think it is Black and White just to make us feel sad and imagine the prisoners position. - Naheed Shahadat
To show foreshadowing. - Janell Eccleston
So the viewer could focus on the image of the scene and compare the changes made in the color film - Alan Burgos
2. Do the prisoners really "roll out the red carpet" for the new
Warden?
No. They were being sarcastic and disrespectful. - Ricardo Junco
No, they said it sarcastically to show how little they cared that they had a new warden. Pamela
No, the prisoners said it as a joke. - Alan Burgos
3. What is the punishment for a prisoner who is found with
contraband or for a prisoner who violates the new Warden's new
rules??
They get whipped and placed into solitary. - Rod Martinez
Hair shaved off or beaten - Naheed Shahadat
Get whipped and tortured. - Diely Jimenez
4. What is passive resistence?
She didn't fight and just stayed calm. - Diely Jimenez
Resistance without fighting. - Janell Eccleston
To resist and stand your ground. - Rod Martinez
Mitra was resisting with words. - Ricardo Junco
5. What is good about shaving your head in prison?
The lice would go away and you can't catch lice without hair. - Ricardo Junco
Your hair won't stink. - Rod Martinez
6. What musical instrument is played at the talent show?
The chello is played during the talent show - Anthony Singh
7. What promise is made and broken by the Warden for prisoners
performing in the talent show?
The Warden promised a furlough. - Alan Burgos
She promised three days out of jail. - Ricardo Junco
They would be able to leave for the holidays. - Pamela
8. What happens during a "Red Alert " in the prison?
They turn off the power since the war was going on.- Ricardo Junco
9. What event brings joy to the prisoners?
When Essy was born. - Janell Eccleston
The talent show - Alan Burgos
10. When does a prisoner steady tweezers with toes?
When Mitra was talking to the Warden about why she killed her step-father. - Ricardo Junco
While she was talking to the warden, she wanted to sneak it out without the warden noticing. - Pamela
When she was sent to the office for her conduct. Janell Eccleston
1984. - Anthony Singh, Diely Jimenez
Part Two - Follow-up Activities
Have students
do a search to find out the rights, liberties and treatment (fair,
humane, equitable) mandated for women incarcerated in the US. .
How does this compare and contrast with the rights, liberties, treatment
mandated for women in Iran?
How would a woman prisoner in the US be treated if incarcerated for
the same offense a woman in Iran was?
To what extent do the differences in treatment reflect the cultural,
legal, and ethnic differences between the two systems of social justice?
Should the woman depicted on screen be modified to reflect US democratic
and constitutional guarantees? Why yes or why not?
How would the film be different were it about US women incarcerated?
Students could make Venn diagrams showing differences and connections?
How does this treatment contrast with that of men in Iran. Are they incarcerated for similar offenses?