For many, watching television is not simply a matter of entertainment, but a matter of freedom. This is the message I took from watching Head Wind, directed by Mohammad Rasoulof. This documentary centered on the growing phenomenon of foreign media infiltration into Iran, especially in the form of satellite dishes. Rasoulof takes us on a journey to meet different Iranians who share their feelings about this growing satellite phenomena. We venture into places that we could never imagine one would have a satellite dish, even places where the only way to get electricity is through a car battery. It seems that most everyone has a satellite dish—60-90% according to those who work with illegal installations.
Many elders agree with the government that these foreign programs are corrupting people's moral values, however the majority enjoy being able to have the freedom to tune into their favorite programs.
The documentary gives many Iranians a voice—to express the fact that they would like to have this freedom to watch what they please—of course still within moral guidelines; you will not find bare shoulders or any bedroom scenes even in most illegally distributed movies.
Head Wind was an eye-opening experience and it allowed its audience to see how foreign media and satellite dishes can bring people the freedom to access a world outside the government's sanctions, a freedom that we so often take for granted.
Head Wind was screened at the 15th Annual Hot Docs film festival in Toronto which finished Sunday, April 27th.
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