Midlife Crisis and the Mother Complex in Iranian Cinema / بحران میانسالی وعقده ی مادر در سینمای ایران

Abstract:

The midlife crisis represents the second major identity crisis within the human lifespan. Unlike the adolescent identity crisis, which centers on the pursuit of a social role, the midlife crisis is marked by an existential quest for meaning in the face of mortality. This process, often referred to as individuation, manifests differently depending on an individual's personality and life history. Among the significant psychological factors influencing this journey are deep-seated complexes, such as the mother complex. The mother complex involves an unconscious dependency on the mother, which profoundly shapes an individual's relationships and perceptions of various life concepts. This lecture will critically examine the unique characteristics of the individuation process in individuals grappling with a mother complex, particularly during midlife. The exploration will be anchored in an analysis of Iranian cinema, specifically through the films Kalāgh/ The Crow (dir. Bahram Beyzai, 1977), Hāmūn (dir. Dariush Mehrjui, 1989), and Siks va falsafah/Sex & Philosophy (dir. Mohsen Makhmalbaf, 2005). These films serve as cultural texts that illustrate the interplay between midlife crisis, the mother complex, and the search for meaning, offering a nuanced understanding of these psychological phenomena within the context of Iranian cultural and cinematic traditions.

Bio:

Dr. Mohammad-Reza Sargolzaee is a psychiatrist, social activist, and prolific writer well known in the fields of psychology and cultural criticism. Among his notable books are Shakhsīyat-i sālim (The Healthy Personality); Junun-i qudrat va qudrat-i na'mashru' (The Madness of Power and Illegitimate Power); I'tiyad, az sabab shināsī tā darmān (Addiction: From Etiology to Treatment); Abābīl naqd (Abābīl Critique); Nākhudāgāh-yi āqā-yi ravānpizishk (The Unconsciousness of the Psychiatrist); and Mā dūbārah-sabz mi'shavim (We Shall Rise Again). These works delve into self-awareness, psychological analysis, and improving individual and social lifestyles. Dr. Sargolzaee's writing style is known for making complex psychological concepts accessible and understandable to the general public.