Note: This film was made in 2019. It probably would not be possible today, or tomorrow, especially with a female lead singer.
*** The distributor has asked us to geo-block the film to Vermont viewers only.
Synopsis: During the day, they are laborers and do what most Afghan refugees do in Iran, which is carpentry and tailoring. But as night falls, they change clothes and transform to what they dream to be—rock stars. Hakim, Akbar, Mohammad and Soraya are among the second generation of three million Afghan refugees living in Iran since 1980s. Regardless of their refugee status and its limitations, they dared to dream and managed to form their rock band five years ago. Their dream was clear: their first rock concert should be in the motherland they have never seen, Afghanistan. The film follows the journey of the Arikain band from Iran to Afghanistan despite all odds. They have various obstacles to overcome, from traditional families who are vehemently against music, lack of financial means, to security issues inside Afghanistan. The road between Kabul to Bamyan festival is one of the most dangerous roads in Afghanistan, under the full control of the Taliban. The film follows the Arikain shoulder to shoulder, from the days they dream of a journey to their war-torn motherland, to the hectic and dangerous roads taking them to the music festival.
Director’s biography
Hasan Noori was born in Iran in 1985 from Afghan refugee parents. He holds a BA in sociology and an MA in cinema from Tehran University. He has worked for years as social worker for NGO’s fighting child labor mainly in Afghan refugee community. The Forbidden String is Hasan’s first movie. He is an alumnus of IDFA summer school 2017.
VTIFF’s Virtual Cinema in 2021 is Sponsored by
A Single Pebble
