Bandar Band(HKAFF 2020)

In spring 2019, three waves of rain across Iran caused flash flooding in 26 of the country’s 31 provinces. Over 12,000 kilometers of tarmac – about 36% of the country’s roads – were flooded. Director Manijeh Hekmat follows a trio of musicians trying to make their way on the flooded roads to a music competition in Tehran in her mellow, but bold twist on the road movie genre. The musicians try to make the best of their one-day journey even as they’re hindered at every turn by submerged roadways and forced pit stops. But like their fellow Iranian youths, they can’t help but lose hope as their dreams gradually move out of reach.