Fowler Films: The Dawn is Too Far: Stories of Iranian-American Life

This compelling documentary highlights the untold stories of eight Iranian Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area, weaving together personal narratives from both Iran and the United States. Co-directed by Persis Karim, the film offers a poetic and multifaceted perspective that challenges the predominance of negative media portrayals of Iran.

The documentary delves into the experiences of the Bay Area Iranian diaspora, exploring how their lives and work have been shaped by this unique region, while also showcasing their profound contributions to its cultural and social fabric. Featuring rare archival footage, the film presents a layered narrative that brings new depth to our understanding of this community, especially at a time when Iran is regularly in the news again. 

Following the screening, a moderated Q&A session will be held with co-director Persis Karim and Kevan Harris, vice chair and associate professor of sociology at UCLA and lead researcher for the UCLA Iranian Diaspora Dashboard.

Persis Karim is director emeritus of the Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies at San Francisco State University, where she also taught in the Department of Humanities and Comparative World Literature (2015-25); previously, she taught at San Jose State University for 17 years. She is the editor of three anthologies of Iranian diaspora literature and has published numerous articles on this subject in academic journals, as well as poetry and essays in non-academic publications. The Dawn is Too Far: Stories of Iranian-American Life is her first film; it reflects her interest in documenting and sharing the larger history as well as personal stories of those who are part of the global Iranian diaspora. 

Kevan Harris is a historical sociologist who studies social change and development in Iran and the broader Middle East. He is the author of A Social Revolution: Politics and the Welfare State in Iran, a fieldwork-based analysis of how three decades of social policy reshaped Iran’s politics and social classes. His research examines how the Iranian state has developed over time, how welfare programs have shaped society, how business and government interact, and how class mobility has changed across generations. He has directed large-scale survey research projects, including the Iran Social Survey, which examines patterns of social stratification, mobility, and political attitudes within Iran. He also conducts research on the history of the Iranian diaspora, including Iranian Americans.

The screening and reception are generously presented by the Farhang Foundation, in partnership with the UCLA Center for Near Eastern Studies, with additional support from the UCLA Program of Iranian Studies and the UCLA Program on Central Asia.

Host or Publisher Fowler Museum at UCLA