Poetics of Community: Behind the Lens of "The House is Black"
Location: Community Gallery
On Display: June 25 - Ongoing
Guest Curator: Caro Reed-Ferrara, Ph.D. candidate at the IU Media School
The documentary The House is Black (1963) by Iranian filmmaker Forough Farrokhzad was revolutionary in style and impact. Focusing on the neglected Bababaghi leprosarium in northwestern Iran, Farrokhzad combined stark imagery with poetic narration to exemplify radical empathy and community-centered filmmaking.
Poetics of Community situates the film within the tradition of “committed documentary,” a form of filmmaking grounded in social purpose and active engagement with political and material conditions. Shaped by Farrokhzad’s close relationships with those she filmed, The House is Black moves between confinement and care, showing how attention, empathy, and representation can challenge stigma and contribute to meaningful change.