Grey
Ghazal Vakilzadeh
Animation projection on fabric
3 min 58 sec
Grey is an animated music video created in collaboration with Iranian musicians/singers which addresses the Women Life Freedom movement. It refers to a term that emerged within this movement called “Grey Population” which contains individuals that are neutral bystanders when it comes to taking action and creating change. The animation Grey narrates the journey of a young boy who transitions from bystander to activist.
Music/Lyrics: Khashayar Gholami ft. Kasra
Mix & Master: Mehrdad Hasani
Lyrics | English Translation
It’s been a while that I don’t know what’s wrong with me
It feels like there’s a knife in my heart
I don’t recognize myself in the mirror
Why is there so much sorrow in me
My dreams have all been destroyed one after the other
I keep getting crushed underneath all these troubles
The stars passed over my head
I wished for these nights end
(Chorus)
Don’t drown in sleep
This belongs to us
Snow doesn’t sit on water
This soundless feeling
Is the sound of our secret
This soil and water belong to us
It’s enough, fading in the shadows
In this new season, come out from behind the darkness
Fear is more meaningless than ever
There is no turning back
There’s still hope in our hearts
I saw my light within the darkness
I know I can reach it, there’s no doubt
There’s no way back
We will fight for freedom
(Chorus)
Don’t drown in sleep
This belongs to us
Snow doesn’t sit on water
This soundless feeling
Is the sound of our secret
This soil and water belong to us
Interactive Animations
(Left to right)
Mahsa (Jina) Amini was a 22-year-old girl killed on September 16th 2022 by the Iranian Morality Police for what they considered to be improper hijab. Following her death many young individuals came to fight for basic human rights. These protests lead to the emergence of the Women Life Freedom movement.
Kian Pirfalak was an Iranian child who was killed in a shooting by the Islamic Republic security forces while traveling in his parents’ car. The family stored Kian’s body in ice for several days before burying him, refusing to keep it at the morgue. This was due to the fear of security forces stealing the child's body, as happened in many cases. Kian wanted to become an inventor and is known for a video that circulated on social media of him explaining about the hand-made propeller boat he made for a festival. He was only 10 years old.
Many young Iranian women and girls are still fighting daily for their right to non-compulsory hijab amongst many other basic human rights. Be their voice.
