Iran is country many only see through the news. From the troubles in the Middle East that effect the nation, to the toleration approach of the government, it is truly hard to judge anything about the country beyond what is said in the media.
The sometimes bias reports that cover the country are often misleading, as evidenced by the photographs taken by local photographer Hossein Fatemi. Whilst most would assume it to be an oppressive country, where woman suffer from poor equality and must be covered at all times, to the youth who must do nothing but worship their religion.
Fatemi admits that there is a ‘semi-hidden part of the country’, where people take the risk to live their lives more freely, including smoking, drinking and playing instruments, along with woman who are willing to display their skin.
Seeing these pictures are incredibly eye-opening, as the relaxed nature of those being photographed offer a completely different look into a closely guarded country. Fatemi does state the dangers and difficulties required to produce such photographs, particularly for the woman. Some featured being identified in the photos and facing punishment, giving even more depth to those featuring woman who were not afraid of any consequences. Hossein Fatemi Website via [Visual News, Maclean’s]
