Iranian folk singer Hamid Royani has emigrated to the United States, where he tries to eke out a living in the San Francisco Bay Area writing and playing his music. To make ends meet, he works at Pars Radio, the area’s Persian language radio station. Hungry to make connections between the Middle East and his adopted country, he works to unite the musical cultures. And what could better achieve this noble goal than bringing to the station heavy metal legends Metallica to jam with Afghani rockers Kabul Dreams (who play themselves)? Nothing, until the station manager uses this opportunity to sell the absolute worst advertisements, commercializing genuine moments of art and song, and the wrestling-obsessed owner wants to capitalize on it as well. This wonderfully dry comedy features a sterling performance from Mohsen Namjoo, one of Iran’s top folk singers. “Contrasting wavelengths of humor and seriousness come through with impressive clarity.” - Hollywood Reporter
Director’s Biography
Babak Jalai: Babak Jalai was born in 1978 in Gorgan, Iran and grew up in London. He received his MA in filmmaking from the London Film School, and his graduation film, Heydar: An Afghan in Tehran ('05), was nominated for the BAFTA for Best Short Film. Radio Dreams is his third feature.
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