HIDDEN DRUMMERS of IRAN is a documentary film following Irish percussionist Ruairi Glasheen and his journey to Iran to uncover the ancient drumming tradition of tonbak playing. The film presents a new perspective on this widely misunderstood nation through the lives of incredible young musicians bringing new life to an age-old musical tradition.

HIDDEN DRUMMERS OF IRAN FEATURES:

Majid Rezadoost

Reza Khorashadi

Keyvan Taheri

Mehran Foroutan

Hani Mirzaei

Navid Afghah

Javad Alirezaei

Ehsan Alirezaei

Melika Davoodi

“Through a chance friendship struck up through social media image sharing platform Instagram, I traveled to Iran in January, 2018 to connect and collaborate with young musicians across the country as a kind of experiment... to test the power of musical exchange between different cultures and to experience the relationships formed between people and place for myself. Whilst social media is banned in Iran, an underground movement of young musicians are risking everything to collaborate online and share their ideas with a wider audience.

My vision is to bring this music and these incredible musicians to a new audience and thus, help others to gain a greater understanding of this beautiful country and dispel some of the often misinterpreted notions of Iran and its people. Hidden Drummers of Iran is a story of artistic triumph over adversity and a rare insight into life inside a contemporary dictatorship through the perspective of young musicians”

- RUAIRI GLASHEEN