Re: Iranians in Europe – Between Shock and Protest

Around the New Year 2026, the regime in Iran responds to protesters with brutal violence. The documentary shows how deeply shaken the Iranian diaspora in Europe is: In Cologne, a mother mourns her murdered son; in Berlin, friends put up portraits of young victims of violence; and in Paris, a writer campaigns for solidarity.

Thousands dead and injured. This is how human rights organizations document the consequences of the protests in Iran. Around the New Year 2026, the regime responds to protesters with massive violence. Despite the repression, many people in the country remain united by their desire for change and a new beginning. The documentary shows how deeply the events also affect the Iranian diaspora in Europe and follows Iranians who have lost relatives to regime violence and who, far from their homeland, want to contribute to a better future for their country.

At a demonstration in Cologne, Mojgan Tahvildari publicly mourns her 27-year-old son Aria Alidust, who was killed by multiple gunshots during protests in Iran. Mojgan’s daughter Parmis speaks to the assembled crowd about her brother’s dreams and calls on people to continue making their voices heard.
In Berlin, actress Setareh Maleki and her friend Maryam put up photographs of people killed in Iran in order to give the victims a face. Both are deeply affected by the fate of the many young victims of violence, including teenager Milad Hasanzade, who, aware of the dangers, left his parents a farewell letter. The portraits of those killed, displayed throughout the streets of Berlin, are intended to shake people out of indifference.

In Paris, writer Chahla Chafiq seeks to strengthen solidarity among Iranians in exile, some of whom disagree over a possible future role for the Shah’s son, Reza Pahlavi. The writer, who herself protested against the Shah in the 1970s, now advocates for a democratic new beginning and seeks to mediate between different groups within the Iranian diaspora.