Ahangurani Discusses Documentary at Los Angeles Event

Director Pegah Ahangurani and editor Arash Ashtiani explored their new film on Iranian history at an Art of the Doc event.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Documentary

Gouache-painted illustration featuring a film reel and Persian textile fragment, evoking the documentary's themes of history and memory. — Director Pegah Ahangurani and editor Arash Ashtiani recently explored their documentary 'Rehearsals for a Revolution' at an event in Los Angeles. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Director Pegah Ahangurani and editor Arash Ashtiani recently held a discussion at an Art of the Doc event in Los Angeles regarding their film, Rehearsals for a Revolution. The documentary examines 50 years of Iranian history alongside the personal experience of the director's exile in London.

Why it matters

The film functions as a cinematic act of remembrance, pushing back against authoritarian efforts to erase or rewrite historical narratives. By centering on the Persian word for memory, Yad, the filmmakers illustrate how preserving the past acts as a form of revolution.

National Geographic documentary projects have achieved a reach of 300 million people across 180 countries in 33 different languages. These figures highlight the global distribution potential for documentaries covering extensive historical subjects.

The players

Pegah Ahangurani

She is the director of Rehearsals for a Revolution who draws on her personal background of exile in London for her creative work.

Arash Ashtiani

He is the editor of the film who collaborated with Ahangurani to structure the documentary around complex historical timelines.

The details

The filmmakers utilize a multi-timeline structure to weave together disparate narratives, grounding the film in the concept that memory itself is revolutionary. The documentary focuses heavily on the Persian term Yad to connect the thematic threads of Iranian history and personal displacement.

October 30, 2026: The discussion took place as part of the Art of the Doc event series.

Industry Dynamics

This project reflects a broader trend of filmmakers using archival techniques to combat state-sponsored historical revisionism. It positions the documentary within a landscape where personal narrative is increasingly used to anchor broader political discourse.

Viewers interested in the film can monitor future screenings through major documentary distribution platforms. The project illustrates how international historical narratives are becoming more accessible to global audiences through digital and theatrical distribution channels.

The takeaway

The project demonstrates that memory can be an essential tool for resisting the erasure of history in authoritarian contexts. Audiences can look for how personal narratives are increasingly shaping the way major historical events are taught and documented today.