Considered Iran’s premiere woman director, Rakhshan Bani-E’temad first came to prominence as a documentary filmmaker before progressing to features. This film provides a fascinating insight into the difference in real power in Iran between that held by elected officials and that wielded by clerics. Our Times was inspired by the ultimately successful candidacy for a second term of pro-reform president Mohammed Khatami in 2001, contrasting this with the efforts of a female candidate to secure a place on the ballot. Despite his best intentions, Khatami was finally rendered powerless by the actions of Iran’s Supreme Leader and Guardian Council. <