The upcoming documentary An Eye for an Eye offers a harrowing look at a real-life legal battle where the stakes are life and death. Directed by Tanaz Eshaghian and Farzad Jafari, the film chronicles the desperate efforts of a son trying to save his mother from execution after she killed her abusive husband in an act of self-defense.
The film follows Tahereh, who faces the death penalty unless she can secure the blood money, or Diya, demanded by her late husband’s family. As public sympathy wanes and time runs out, her son Mohsen works to raise the necessary funds in a society that often ignores or shames victims of domestic abuse. The documentary provides unprecedented access to private negotiations and legal proceedings, exposing the complex mechanics of a justice system influenced by patriarchal values and religious law.
A Gripping Look at Systemic Injustice
What makes this project particularly notable is the level of intimacy the filmmakers achieved. By capturing the emotional toll on Tahereh and her children, the documentary moves beyond a simple legal procedural to highlight the resilience of a family fighting for survival. It serves as a poignant examination of the personal costs associated with systemic injustice, offering viewers a raw perspective on a situation that remains largely hidden from the public eye.
The film has already garnered significant attention on the festival circuit. It received a Special Jury Mention for Documentary Feature and Best Editing at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. Additionally, it was an official selection at the 2025 Woodstock Film Festival, as well as the 2026 editions of CPH:DOX and the Antenna Documentary Film Festival.
Release Information
Audiences will have the opportunity to see the film when it opens in select theaters and becomes available on the streaming platform Jolt.film beginning August 14th. The documentary has a runtime of 84 minutes. For those interested in the production, the film was produced by Christoph Jörg, Katayoun Arsanjani, and Joey Marra, with executive production from David Cowan, Zhang Xin, William Horberg, Nina Fialkow, David Fialkow, and Tanaz Eshaghian.
Source: Jolt.film
