I am thinking about the flavor of his mouth, when the ringing of the telephone pulls me out of the moment.
I reluctantly break away and answer. I recognize my cousin's familiar voice, but I can tell immediately that something is very, very wrong.
"Farhad. I saw you on the TV," he declares. Coldly.
What? TV? My mind races, but I cannot imagine what he could be referring to. Before I can respond or even question him, he says, "I know what you are. I know what you are and I don't want to see you anymore."
The line clicks dead.
I'm frozen. I am unable to speak, and Darius grows worried as my face turns pale. I fumble for the remote control, and the TV comes to life. I flip through the channels until I find something unusual. They are showing a documentary about gay people in Iran and letting people around the world know how hard and dangerous it is for gays in this country. The film was made by a Canadian television channel, and it sure seems like they care a lot about the well-being of gays in Iran.
Darius and I are shocked that a documentary on such a subject is being aired. Now some people are talking about their problems in front of the camera, but their faces are blurred. It is interesting, I suppose, but what does it have to do with me? In less than a minute, I have my answer. I begin to feel dread when the camera pans across a restaurant I know well. It is the spot where gay people in Tehran gather every Tuesday. Where I go most Tuesdays. Now the camera is inside the restaurant, and they are showing us. They are showing our faces. They are showing my face. It is obviously shot with a concealed camera. A long lens, zoomed in—my face filling the screen for several seconds. Casually chatting, completely unaware. They are even sure to identify the restaurant by name. And we don't know we are being filmed. How nice of them: They want to let the world know how miserable gay people are in Iran and how the government kills them because of their orientation, and they come to our community and expose us to everyone? To the hateful government? To our neighbors, friends, and families?
Darius and I are shocked that a documentary on such a subject is being aired. Now some people are talking about their problems in front of the camera, but their faces are blurred. It is interesting, I suppose, but what does it have to do with me? In less than a minute, I have my answer. I begin to feel dread when the camera pans across a restaurant I know well. It is the spot where gay people in Tehran gather every Tuesday. Where I go most Tuesdays. Now the camera is inside the restaurant, and they are showing us. They are showing our faces. They are showing my face. It is obviously shot with a concealed camera. A long lens, zoomed in—my face filling the screen for several seconds. Casually chatting, completely unaware. They are even sure to identify the restaurant by name. And we don't know we are being filmed. How nice of them: They want to let the world know how miserable gay people are in Iran and how the government kills them because of their orientation, and they come to our community and expose us to everyone? To the hateful government? To our neighbors, friends, and families?
PS The video Inside Iran's Secret Gay World has been removed from YouTube for 'copyright infringement'.
Golf Alpha Yankee (Official Trailer) from Rick Flynn on Vimeo.
Update: Rick Flynn, who's directing Golf Alpha Yankee, a new documentary about Iranian gay refugees in Turkey got in touch.
GOLF ALPHA YANKEE provides an intensely intimate look into the lives many who have suffered human rights abuses as a consequence of being gay in Iran. To achieve this intimacy without endangering any of its subjects, the film never reveals faces or other identifiable features. This also allows for a unique visual and audio language, which becomes increasingly personal throughout the film.
By blending documentary footage with fictionalized scenes written by the subjects themselves, GOLF ALPHA YANKEE not only sheds light on their lives as gay refugees in Turkey, but also delves into their experiences as gay men in their native Iran.
Golf Alpha Yankee (Official Trailer) from Rick Flynn on Vimeo.
Update: Rick Flynn, who's directing Golf Alpha Yankee, a new documentary about Iranian gay refugees in Turkey got in touch.
GOLF ALPHA YANKEE provides an intensely intimate look into the lives many who have suffered human rights abuses as a consequence of being gay in Iran. To achieve this intimacy without endangering any of its subjects, the film never reveals faces or other identifiable features. This also allows for a unique visual and audio language, which becomes increasingly personal throughout the film.
By blending documentary footage with fictionalized scenes written by the subjects themselves, GOLF ALPHA YANKEE not only sheds light on their lives as gay refugees in Turkey, but also delves into their experiences as gay men in their native Iran.
Fagburn knows nothing more about Flynn or the film project apart from what's on the website, but hopes this one does justice to its subjects.
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