Iranian documentary series with PELAN

Join us as we host monthly Iranian documentary screenings with PELAN. These screenings feature works about Iranians, made by independent Iranian and non-Iranian documentarians, to gain a better understanding of Iran and its people.

This month, we are screening Chicheka Lullaby by Raha Faridi (Iran – 2020, 97 minutes). This film is in Farsi with English subtitles.

About the film:

Chicheka Lullaby is an anthropological documentary about music. It pictures the life story of one of the influential musicians of the Iranian south, Ebrahim Monsefi. He was an alternative artist who challenged his society and lived a creative life with a strong sense of humor despite depression. He died 20 years ago amidst poverty and drug addiction but wrote 100s of lyrics and recorded more than 200 songs with a small cassette player. He traveled extensively, spreading a message of love and freedom, and inspired many with his words, voice, and guitar. Todayʼs musicians are covering his songs but his story has never been told. The film not only archives a collection of traditional music and contemporary fusion but also opens up a window to the south of Iran, showing the people's culture and lifestyle. (Tirgan)

Director's Bio:
Raha Faridi (1980, Tehran) has been making experimental and short documentaries independently since 2000. She worked as a freelance journalist, radio producer and music researcher for BBC-World service for 10 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts in drama and English translation.

PELAN is a non-profit, non-partisan project founded in 2013 and organized by a group of students and graduates of different universities in Vancouver. Since its inception, the primary purpose of PELAN has been to screen documentary films about Iranians, made by independent Iranians and non-Iranians. Although some of these movies have been banned in Iran, they have been shown at international film festivals around the world. In addition to the screenings, we have also been organizing online Q&A sessions with the directors/producers to foster stronger connections between Iranian artists and Iranians in the diaspora. PELAN had to cancel all its events during the pandemic; however, partnering with Blackout Art Society, PELAN resumed its work by screening documentaries at the North Vancouver City Library.

Questions? Contact info@nvcl.ca or 604-998-3450.

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