violence and lots of dancing - the soundtrack to Iran pre 1979

After Ghaysar, conservative and working class south Tehran became the setting of many Iranian films. In this photo: Gozar Akbar (1972)

A Man from South Tehran (1970) has an opening shot that features the capital’s new highrises at the time: the agriculture ministry building and the twin Saman Towers, which housed luxury apartments.

Nudity became more prevalent in film posters and soundtrack art. In this 1970 film, Panjereh (Window), the title sequences are credited to Kiarostami.

Esfandiar Monfaredzadeh wrote the music to many Iranian art house films, including Ghaysar and Baluch (1972).

Reza Motori (Reza the Motorcyclist), directed by Masoud Kimiai (1973). Song by Farhad.

Pop icon Aref sang in many films, including Nagoo Nah (Don’t say no). Dancing scenes were an integral part of commercial Iranian cinema before the revolution.

Ahdieh’s voice was often used to dub cabaret singers in movies.

Iraj Janatie Ataie was famous for writing lyrics for Iranian pop stars Ebi and Dariush. This one, Jangal (Jungle), was from the film Sun on the Lagoon (1973). Armed resistance against the Shah started in the jungles of Mazandaran around the time this film was made.

‘My gaze, your gaze, full of stories’... a song from Golha va Tanha, sung by Aref.

Pop diva Googoosh was also a hit on the screen. This is the sleeve to a song called Shab-e Shisheie (Glass Night).

Iraj Ghaderi liked to star in his own movies. Atesh (1972), or Thirst, featured a song from Ebi who was just getting started in his career.

Gharibeh (1972) or Stranger, is another example of the lone wolf hero of many Iranian films. This one starring macho heartthrob Behrouz Vosooghi.

Googoosh dances and sings ‘ Hamoomak Mourcheh Dareh’ for Naser Malek Motiee, one of the tough guys of FilmFarsi.

Hamisheh Ghayeb, Always Absent, was the name of a song in the film Tangsir, which is based on a real story that took place in Bushehr, now infamous for its nuclear reactor.

Hassan Kachal (1970) was made by Ali Hatami. The title character is from an Iranian fairytale.

The music for Amir Naderi’s 1973 film, Tangna (Impasse), was also composed by Esfandiar Monfaredzadeh. Faraydoun Foroughi sang a famous track in this movie, ‘There is No Saviour.’

The Men of the Gulf (1972), the Persian Gulf of course.

A Man from Isfahan (1967) featured Vahdat a popular comedian who used his trademark Isfahani accent to entertain audiences.

Another ***ually-charged 1972 FilmFarsi: Black Mehdi and Hot Pants. By 1977, these kinds of films were flops. Low budget Italian and American movies were cheap and easy to import, and had a lot more *** and violence to offer than their Iranian counterparts.