This article critically examines the symbolic use of the figures of Fatima and Zeynab within the cinematic discourse of the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly in how these archetypes shape and reinforce ideals of womanhood. The war genre, often serving as a platform for state-sponsored propaganda, frequently invokes these revered figures to promote ideals of women aligned with religious and cultural narratives.

Through an analysis of Rasoul Mollagholipour’s filmography, including M for Mother and Survivors, this study explores how female characters are constructed in accordance with the archetypes of Fatima and Zeynab. These films present women who embody the characteristics of Fatima in their daily lives—modesty, devotion, and maternal care—and transform into the Zeynab archetype in moments of national crisis, embodying resistance, sacrifice, and courage. This duality of representation demonstrates the complex interplay between gender, ideology, and political narratives in the cinematic portrayal of women in post-revolutionary Iran.