We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with Docunight to offer Let Her Sing 2021 ticket holders free screenings of three excellent documentaries about female singers and the adversities they face in singing in Iran.
We will send ticket holders a code with which to watch the three films between Friday, September 3rd through Friday, September 17th. We hope you enjoy the films which will provide context for the cause behind our annual program, Let Her Sing.
We are grateful to Ahmad Kiarostami and the Kiarostami Foundation for their ongoing support of our cause.
The films are:
No Land’s Song, directed by Ayat Najafi, 2016
Synopsis
In Iran, since the 1979 Islamic revolution, women are no longer allowed to sing in public as soloists - at least in front of men. Defying censorship and taboos, the young composer Sara Najafi is determined to organize an official concert for solo female singers. In order to support their fight, Sara and her friends invite three French female singers, Elise Caron, Jeanne Cherhal and Emel Mathlouthi, to join them in Tehran and collaborate on their musical project, re-opening a musical bridge between Europe and Iran. Are they going to succeed and finally be gathered in Tehran, sing together, on stage and without restrictions, and to open a door towards a new freedom of women in Iran?
Back Vocal, directed by Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, 2004
Synopsis
Back Vocal tells the story of women singers, whose unaccompanied singing is forbidden by religious laws of the country, but who nonetheless try to remain active; even if that means taking the second seat. I knew from the beginning that such a film would not get permission to be screened, so I never applied for a permit.
Sonita, directed by Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami, 2015
Synopsis
After her family attempts to sell her into marriage, a young Afghan refugee in Iran channels her frustrations and seizes her destiny through music. Grabbing the mic, she spits fiery rhymes in the face of oppressive traditions.
Purchase tickets to Let Her Sing 2021 and check out the Facebook event page below.
