Iranian films have found an appreciative audience internationally. But at home, the difficulties of making these distinctive movies is enormous. “In Iran, the subversive subtexts of these provocative films are rattling religious conservatives in government. Iran is poised on the cusp between religious extremism and political reform. Conservatives believe the imbedded politics of new-wave films directly challenge their power by giving voice to the swelling discontent within the country. Enraged by the negative international attention the films bring to Iran’s drastic social and political policies, they are attempting to subvert the filmmakers.”