Salakh Ceremony
A Performative Sonic Event
Technical Information
- TitleSalakh Ceremony
- Persian Titleهیشِ سلخ
- Year2021
- Runtime 14:46 min.
- GenreMusic Documentary
- Country Iran
- Aspect Ratio 16:9
- Shooting Format Digital iPhone X
- Color Color
Synopsis
This is an improvisational filming. No words were spoken, no dialogue occurred. A simple walk down the street, following the crowd, entering the place, and continuing to film. Permission was obtained through eye contact throughout the shooting process. This exemplifies the least intrusive approach to capturing an event as real as it gets and highlights the art of communication without words. They behaved as if there were no camera, as if there were no stranger among them. They played along. The camera danced with their sounds and movements, and within a harmonious atmosphere, a performative sonic event was captured. جزیره قشم، روستای سلخ، مراسم عروسی، نوروز ۱۴۰۰
Director Statement
On another warm, humid day, I was resting in a corner in the narrow alleys of Salakh village on Qeshm Island when the first hit on a drum, loud and warning, stood me up. As a habit of mine over the years, I followed the sound, and like a hunter, I took out my phone from my pocket, ready in camera mode, and started capturing the first moment I saw the trace of the ceremony about to begin. The rest was filmed for all to watch. My first encounter with the stories I document usually happens with an instant decision to reach for my phone, and from there, it flows into the event. The interaction of my smiling eyes usually gains permission, and a few words in the southern dialect are enough to confirm. I immerse myself as a member of the ceremony, where the small device, the silence, and the verbal eyes do all the work of getting closer, gradually and smoothly, until I find myself right in the middle of the happening, as if I'm invisible. I enjoy this deep, wordless communication between us, becoming filled with joy when I am accepted and no longer see any trace of the camera in their eyes. It's like a dance, as if I am also improvising with the band. They start the downbeat, and so do I, and as the beat gets faster, so do my movements.
The music of Hormozgan is a reflection of the people's spirit and their deep connection to their land and sea. The rhythm comes from the tide, with the same uneven distance between each beat. It's called "The Lang Rhythm." The more you observe nature and immerse yourself in it—swimming in the ocean, breathing the humid air, and walking on the soft sands beneath the burning sun of the south—the more you understand the music, and the more you flow with the sound.
Hormozgan Province, located in the southern region of Iran, boasts a rich and vibrant music scene that reflects the province's unique cultural identity. The sounds of traditional instruments such as Dohol, Kaser, and Pipeh fill the air during local ceremonies and celebrations, as well as in everyday life. The harmonious blend of Persian, Arabic, Indian, African, and Portuguese influences in the region's music is a testament to the province's diverse history and cultural heritage. The music of Hormozgan serves as a constant reminder of the enduring traditions and rich cultural tapestry of this enchanting corner of Iran.