Coup 53 (15)
-
Sat 13 Jun
In 1953, a military coup led by British MI6 and backed by the CIA overthrew Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadegh. His crime: nationalising the country's oil. The truth behind that original regime change was buried for decades.
Iranian director Taghi Amirani spent ten years uncovering what really happened. Aided by legendary film editor Walter Murch and a gripping performance by Ralph Fiennes, Amirani’s documentary Coup 53 unfolds like a John le Carré spy thriller.
Content guidance
Coup 53 contains scenes of violence, racist language in archive clips, and images of real dead bodies. For more information, visit the BBFC.
This event will begin at the advertised time with no ads or trailers.
About the Horizons film programme
Celebrating vibrant, insightful films chosen by five creatives whose own lives have been impacted by migration: the Horizons Festival 2026 Film Programme was produced and facilitated by Nuala Shaar and voted for by Ana Lucía Cuevas, Linnae Yllane, Maryam Nazari and Tina Ramos Ekongo. Read more about their collaborative process.
- Director
- Taghi Amirani
- Duration
- 120 min
- Opening
- Sat 13 Jun
- Year
- 2019
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
Certificate: 15
