A large crowd of people outdoors with a white vehicle in the middle and several people standing on top, depicting a rally.

First Films Rehearsals for a Revolution

  • Cinema
  • Playhouse
  • Run time: 94 minutes Subject to change
  • Seating map

Closing Night Film | NSW Premiere

2026 | Spain, Czechia | Persian with English subtitles | Documentary | Unclassified 18+

Winner of the L’Œil d’or, Cannes’ top prize for documentary, in 2026, acclaimed Iranian actress and filmmaker Pegah Ahangarani’s breathtaking directorial debut explores her life and her country’s history from 1979 to today through memory, protest and personal archive.

Across five richly personal chapters, Ahangarani crafts a portrait of modern Iran, tracing the nation’s history through the lives of those closest to her. Each chapter centres on a different friend or family member whose acts of defiance illuminate the human cost of resistance and the enduring power of hope. Drawing inspiration from filmmaker Jonas Mekas while forging a cinematic language entirely her own, Ahangarani weaves together home movies, protest footage, news footage and rare archival images with extraordinary precision and emotional force. The result is a deeply moving testament to resilience, memory and the unbreakable spirit of generations who continue to fight for freedom.

Presented by Sydney Opera House and First Films Co-presented by Persian Film Festival Australia

Event details

A scorching historical autobiography.

Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter

At once personal and politically insightful…surely the timeliest film in Cannes this year.

Jonathan Romney, Screen International

Credits

Director
Pegah Ahangarani
Writer
Pegah Ahangarani
Co-writers
Ehsan Abdipour Amir Ahmadi Arian Arash Ashtiani Majed Neisi
Sound Design
Neda Mohseni
Music
Anna Andreu
Editor
Arash Ashtiani
Sound Mix
Dani Zacarias
Colour Grading
Hamidreza Fatourehchian
Production
Kaveh Farnam at Media Nest (Czech Republic) Adrià Monés at Fasten Films (Spain)
Co-producers
Parnian Farnam Pegah Ahangarani Arash Ashtiani
Executive Producers
Enric Bach Sergi Moreno

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Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

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The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Playhouse

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