Iran: Children of the Revolution
thursday june 7 | 20.00 hrs

Sounds of Silence
Hidden beneath the alarming headlines from a totalitarian regime lies a bustling culture desperate for recognition. This documentary offers a view inside Tehran and its burgeoning pop music scene through the eyes of young musicians and their followers. It salutes their ongoing struggle with the Iranian government’s Ministry Of Islamic Guidance, Ershad, which meticulously scrutinizes and sometimes censors all forms of art. Despite the harassment and harsh religious censorship of Ershad, many bands have a deep respect for their cultural heritage, and that is reflected in their music. A documentary that shows the delicate balance in these young musicians’ lives, between their musical endeavours and the rocky path that is in store for them as progress and conservative traditionalism clash in modern Tehran.

Amir Hamz (Iran/Germany) & Mark Lazarz (Germany) | Iran | 2006 | 86 min | English subtitles

camera: Marek Kowalek
sound: Nils Schomberg
editor: Stefano Aiello
producer: Amir Hamz

contact: Amir Hamz
t: +49 171 1767670
w: www.soundsofsilencefilm.com

Amir Hamz lives in Berlin, and did his bachelor degree in French Literature, North American Studies and Communication Theories at the University of Hamburg. After that he got his Master in Mass Communication, Film Studies and Politics in London. He has directed short documentaries, short films and TV programmes since 1999, both in Europe and in the US.
Mark Lazarz lives in London, and has worked in film, television and theatre since 1992. He studied Film Studies in London with a specialization in ‘Psychosemiotics’ and Documentary. After several projects in the Middle East he joined forces with Amir Hamz.  “Sounds of Silence” is both Amir’s and Mark’s feature documentary debut.