Continued Success of the Protest Music Video 'Yar'; Farnaz Ohadi: I Speak of the Courage of the People of Iran

The success of the music video 'Yar' continues at international festivals. This piece is based on the song 'Yar Dabeestani Man,' which Farnaz Ohadi recently performed in a unique way in the style of Persian flamenco. This Iranian singer and composer, residing in Spain, sang this piece in support of the protesters following the death of Mahsa Amini and the onset of nationwide protests in Iran, collaborating with several prominent Spanish artists to create the music video 'Yar.' Farnaz Ohadi tells the Persian section of Voice of America: 'I was in Spain working on my fourth album when the murder of Mahsa Jina Amini happened. Like all Iranians and my compatriots around the world, I was deeply affected.' She adds: 'We all witnessed from afar everything that was happening in Iran, and I felt I had to do something, which is why I decided to sing a song in support of the people.' Given the popularity of 'Yar Dabeestani Man' and its connection to social issues in Iran, she decided to perform this piece in the 'Faruka' mode with a flamenco atmosphere as a lament. Farnaz Ohadi states: 'We were planning to record the music video and coordinating for filming, but the unfortunate news was relentless. During this time, there were incidents of poisoning in girls' schools and subsequent events that we are all aware of, which motivated us even more to complete this project.' She continues: 'The scenes of this music video were filmed in a salt factory located an hour away from Barcelona.' She added: 'The factory was active during the day, and we filmed on a nearby salt hill, continuing filming inside after the factory closed in the evening. The entire work was completed intensively in one day.' The music video 'Yar' was directed by Fran Minchen, a prominent Spanish filmmaker with many accolades in his professional career and collaboration with Netflix Spain. Ana Agrez and Emilio Ochendo, famous flamenco dancers, also performed in this work. Farnaz Ohadi states: 'The main reason for making this film is that we who are outside Iran, and I personally, feel more secure. I felt it was my duty to be the voice of the events still happening in Iran, and we must make noise and not let the spotlight on Iran fade away.' The screening of 'Yar' began two months ago at various festivals around the world, and according to the producers, it has so far won 14 awards in areas such as best music, music video, dance, dancer, cinematography, or screenplay. Ms. Ohadi says: 'Most importantly, when I attend festivals or speak via Zoom for these festivals, questions arise that are very valuable to me. I have the opportunity to talk about Iran, to speak of the courage of the women, men, and children of Iran, and this is very important to me.' This Iranian singer and composer further adds: 'Another small goal of mine is that all Iranians scattered around the world recognize other Iranians around them. Even if one person who leaves the festival hugs another Iranian and asks about their well-being, telling them that I know what’s happening and how you feel, I have done my duty.' Farnaz Ohadi, a Persian flamenco singer and composer, began her artistic activities in the world of flamenco in 1998 with dance. She started singing in 2001 and began singing in Persian in 2010. Having lived in Canada for a long time, she has been living in southern Spain for the past two years. 'Yar Dabeestani Man' was written by Mansour Tehrani and was initially sung by Fereydoun Foroughi and later by Jamshid Jam. This piece has been performed by several Iranian artists in various styles over the decades.