Defiant Iranian Film Spotlights Crackdown On Female Singers
22 Aug 2026, 08:34 GMT
By RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Parisa Sohbati, Will Tizard
Topic: Iran
Credit: RFE
Source URL: https://rfe-video-ns.akamaized.net/pangeavideo/2026/08/a/ad/adec81e8-7026-49ff-1db5-08decad58b60_original.mp4?cb=ee21b5601
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An unauthorized Iranian film released for free on YouTube is stirring debate by openly challenging restrictions on women singing and Iran’s compulsory hijab rules. Bidad, or Outcry, directed by Soheil Beiraghi, was made without government approval and features the voice of Parastoo Ahmadi, a singer who was sentenced to 74 lashes after performing publicly without a head scarf. Parisa Sohbati from RFE/RL's Negah-e-Farda (Iran Tomorrow) program explains.