Now and then a controversial, deeply moving film based on what is happening in the world a present come along at a time that could not be more propitious. Inspired by true events, Aban + Khorshid is an intimate portrait of two imprisoned Iranian lovers, caught up in their government's restrictive regime, glimpsing into the world in which they met, moments before their execution for being gay. Though it is only fifteen minutes in length as written and directed by Darwin Serink, it is one of the USA entries for the LGBT Festival. Mojean Aria portrays Aban and Bobby Naderi portrays Khorshid. Sage Lewis provides this musical score - a mystical but touching atmospheric background for this tragedy. The surprising aspect is the quality of love that is portrayed here, love even in the most threatening of circumstances.
On his website Darwin Serink shares that this film was based on his response to a photograph of real life men Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni as they were being hanged for an alleged crime which in reality was the 'crime' of being gay. 'The incident--and the resulting photo from the Iranian Student News Agency of the two men's hanging sparked outrage, concern and, for Serink, inspiration: "It is one of those images that ingrained itself in my mind and never left," he said. "As a gay filmmaker I am using my talents to say something about the atrocities committed to gays in Iran."
There has been a powerful positive response to the film being hailed at festivals. In Farsi with English subtitles. Grady Harp, August 14
On his website Darwin Serink shares that this film was based on his response to a photograph of real life men Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni as they were being hanged for an alleged crime which in reality was the 'crime' of being gay. 'The incident--and the resulting photo from the Iranian Student News Agency of the two men's hanging sparked outrage, concern and, for Serink, inspiration: "It is one of those images that ingrained itself in my mind and never left," he said. "As a gay filmmaker I am using my talents to say something about the atrocities committed to gays in Iran."
There has been a powerful positive response to the film being hailed at festivals. In Farsi with English subtitles. Grady Harp, August 14