00.07
It could be a photo shoot for a western fashion magazine but instead this is downtown Tehran and Bahor is getting ready to go out. A few years ago no woman would have dared to appear on the streets of Iran wearing make-up. But there's a new air of liberalism in the country since President Khatami came to power two and a half years ago.
0.36
Even though women still have to cover their bodies and heads, the strict moral guardians no longer check whether a stray hair is showing, or whether young couples court in the park. In today's Iran the winds of change are sweeping through and it's the younger generations who are benefiting.
01.04
But when it comes to marriage most young people will still have to follow their parents' ideals.
01.13
Original sound (OS): Bridegroom
Yes, our parents knew each other before they got married but we didn't.
01.16
OS: Bride
He still had to ask me first.
01.22
However for Bahor an arranged marriage would be inconceivable. Like most young women in Iran she doesn't want to be surprised by her parent's choice so she has a boyfriend.
01.42
OS: Bahor Hosseini - industrial design student.
Amir and I go to the same university. The first time we met was in the university library. Straight away we really liked each other. Amir secretly tried to give me his phone number. It didn't work, because it was too difficult. But eventually I did manage to get hold of it. In any case, I couldn't give him my number, as I would have got into trouble with my parents at home. I called him first. For our date we arranged to meet in this park.
02.24
Although the law states it's forbidden for men and women to be together in public, the pair still meet, often in a teahouse on the outskirts of the city. Neither have told their parents as an immediate marriage is out of the question. In Iran there are still many obstacles for aspiring couples to overcome.
02.44
Original sound: Amir Kashani - Communications technology student.
The high unemployment rate and an unfavourable economic climate don't leave much leaway for us to think about getting married. The main thing is that I like Bahor very much. But since we're not considering marriage, our parents mustn't find out about our relationship.
03.13
Like many of their contemporaries Bahor and Amir are also afraid that they'll be unable to find work once their studies are complete. In the last 20 years the population of Tehran has doubled and the majority of people are now under 20. Stiff competition for jobs though has not dented thoughts of a greater freedom.
03.37
OS Woman
I have nothing against the islamic dress code - quite the contrary - I even think it's a good thing. But I would like to be more free in thought. I think that we women could achieve a lot more in this society if we had greater freedom.
04.02
Many believe that the road to freedom has been due to the Chador. A symbol of repression in the West, the black robe has been obligatory since the '79 revolution. Claims that it's allowed Iranian woman to prosper is in contrast to life under the Shah when perceived decadent attitudes led many families to keep their daughters at home.
04.28
More than 20 years on women can even publically participate in sport. A few years ago the conservative Mullahs would not have allowed this, even with the Chador.
04.47
OS Bahor Husseini, student
Until recently we had no right to come here and take part in sports, in spite of our islamic dress. We've only had more rights and can move around more freely since Khatami was elected as president.
05.07
Reformist President Mohamed Khatami is the idol of young people particularly women who played an important part in his '97 election. Despite some changes his mandate to modernise Iran has been resisted by the religious heirarchy. Power still lies in the hands of traditional Shi'ite clerics, as the students who went on the streets to demonstrate recently came to realise.
05.35
OS: Bahor Husseini
Here we are driving past the student residence where the clashes took place a few months ago. The banning of the liberal newspaper ‘Salom' led to conflicts between extremist and moderate religious groups. The Extremist forces tried to undermine Khatami's influence. The universities were temporarily closed due to the unrest.
06.05
Since the clashes Bahor and Amir have decided to be more careful. Like many of their friends they're keeping a low profile, away from the public's gaze. They still dance together, even though this is forbidden. For the time being they'll have to be content with small freedoms!
06.30
And one of those is shopping. In Iran today prevailing attitudes amongst the young are best expressed in the arcades and shopping malls.
06.44
Despite the strict separation of men and women, Bahor buys a saucy suntop from a male shop assistant. The contradictions in Iran today are immense.
06.59
After the brief shopping spree everyone goes their separate ways again, quite literally; the buses are fitted with an iron barrier to separate men and women.
07.11
But thanks to modern technology, the crude system of apartheid is undermined. The desire for freedom in Iran is greater than ever. Western attitudes are once again creeping back into society. For the all powerful Mullahs, reconciling Islam with the modern world will be an enormous challenge.
Ends: 7'43''
A contribution from Patricia Neghabian
Co-operation: Claudia Neuhauser
Camera: Yusef Shahidifar
Editing: Handlos/Kopp
Speaker: Sandra Kreisler
Music: