Never Take Your "Happy"ness for Granted
Last week Iranian young adults were arrested for creating a video in tribute to Pharrell Williams video: "Happy". The video was directed and filmed by Siavash Taravati and showed the group dancing on a rooftop in Iran.
Many posted online to free them:
Yesterday they were released, their producer was not and they still face charges of dancing in public, lewdness and for the women not wearing their head covering, a hijab, which is law in Iran.
The police stormed Rayhaneh Taravati's apartment (the producer's sister) who is an artist and photographer . Searching and smashing everything inside including her artwork and photos. Everyone was arrested and spent 3 days in prison, a very unpleasant experience- especially for the women who were strip searched by a female officer.
At the end they were forced to be filmed recanting their actions, saying others made them to do it.
Rumors on Facebook from someone in Iran said the parents were fined the equivalent of $10,000 to have their children released yesterday and their lives were threatened if they talked to the media. Personal equipment was confiscated: computers, cameras, and phones.
Can you imagine being arrested just for making a video about being "Happy"?!
Their video:
At the end of the video they have posted: "We have made this video as Pharrell William's fans in 8 hrs, with IPhone 5S. 'Happy' was an excuse to be happy. We enjoyed every second of making it. Hope it puts a smile on your face." In the background they are speaking Farsi and giggling, they're just kids!!!!
Revolution often starts with the young and guns, but I wonder if it has ever started with laughter and dancing? A very powerful statement in dance and music.
When freed Rayhaneh Taravati posted this on Instagram: "Hi I'm back 🙏 thank you @pharrell and everyone who cared about us love you all so much and missed you so much ❤️❤️❤️"
Perhaps Pharrell Williams has started a freedom revolution. With a smile on his face and a beat to his step. When he heard of what happened he was quoted on Facebook as saying: "It is beyond sad that these kids were arrested for trying to spread happiness."
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