Representation of Identities in TV Documentaries: A Discourse Analytical Approach to Documentaries Related to Ashraf and Hoveyda

This study aims to conduct discourse analysis of the representation of identities in documentaries broadcast by IRIB. It focuses on two important documentaries: Ashraf and Hoveyda. The theoretical approach rests on constructivism, representation, and discourse analysis and the method is Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis. The results indicate that Ashraf’s identity is represented by power, wealth, lust, courage, aristocracy, loyalty to the Shah, psychological complexes, being devoid of love, and conflict with other court women. Power, wealth, and lust are the most important ones. Also, the Hoveyda’s identity is represented by Bahaism, corruption, nonchalance towards national sentiments and being pro-American, and having logistician and dual personality. Some of these signifiers are in contrast with anti-Pahlavi macro-discourse and some are compatible with it. Finally, in these two documentaries, there is no topical cohesion, which leads to contradictory narratives. Comparing these two documentary shows reveals that they share some contradictions in representing the identities of discursive agents.