SISU Pictures Debuts With Two Documentaries
The new production company's launch films examine the Iranian regime's crackdown on dissent and Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Documentary
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SISU Pictures, a new documentary company founded by Gesbeen Mohammad and Robin Barnwell, launched with two films broadcast on November 2, 2026. Iran: The People's Story aired on BBC One's Panorama, while The Taliban's War on Women: Dispatches aired on Channel 4's Dispatches.
Why it matters
The films examine the regime's crackdown on dissent in Iran, including the January massacre, and Taliban rule in Afghanistan, five years after the takeover. Both were filmed without the knowledge of the authorities.
The company's launch consists of two co-productions with arte and Frontline, with international distribution rights held by Sphere Abacus. Both films were edited by Guy Creasey, and their commercial reach beyond the initial broadcasts has not been reported.
The players
SISU Pictures
A new documentary company launched with two films broadcast on BBC One and Channel 4 on November 2, 2026.
Gesbeen Mohammad
A co-founder of SISU Pictures, a documentary company launched in 2026.
Robin Barnwell
A co-founder of SISU Pictures, a documentary company launched in 2026.
The details
Iran: The People's Story was filmed inside Iran and examines the regime's crackdown on dissent, covering the January massacre. The Taliban's War on Women: Dispatches follows Afghans in exile on a rescue mission.
Timeline
January: Massacre during the Iranian regime's crackdown on dissent.
2021: Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
November 2, 2026: SISU Pictures films broadcast on BBC One and Channel 4.
Market Landscape
The launch of SISU Pictures adds a new documentary producer to the market for investigative films covering Iran and Afghanistan. Its co-productions with arte and Frontline place it within established European and American documentary partnerships.
Both films aired on BBC One's Panorama and Channel 4's Dispatches on November 2, 2026. The stub does not report streaming availability or subsequent screenings.
The takeaway
Documentaries filmed covertly can document conditions that official access often prevents. Readers interested in the subject can compare the two broadcasts, which cover different countries but a shared theme of state control over women and dissent.
Further reading
Explore more documentary films covering international political subjects.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Televisual.
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