plastic surgery

Tehran is one of the world’s busiest plastic surgery hubs. Like Brazil and the U.S., people — especially women — are clamouring for nose jobs, liposuction, breast lifts, facelifts and more. Filmmaker Afsaneh Salari seeks to understand what drives women to go under the knife by embedding herself and her crew in the offices of two plastic surgeons.Tehran, Under the Skin takes a fly-on-the-wall approach, basing the camera in waiting rooms with potential patients as they await consultations with two different surgeons. Women, especially young women, describe their perceived imperfections to a camera and an audience that sees the beauty they cannot. The director inserts herself into the film, as viewers hear her voice questioning the women about their surgeries. She captures moments between patients in the waiting room, commenting on and complimenting others’ beauty. The mood is light; the women are hopeful and excited about what new looks await them.