TEHRAN -- Celebrated Iranian filmmaker Rakhshan Bani-Etemad has expressed concern about the ignorance of the protection of the environment in the country.

“Let us believe that the issue of protection of the environment is no less serious than other issues happening in the world,” Bani-Etemad said during the unveiling ceremony of Black Sun’s new album “Black Tear” in Tehran on Saturday.

The band was established in 2011 to raise awareness of environment protection.

“We have encountered serious problems in our environment which have made living very dangerous for us, and I believe we have entered a serious crisis, our situation is worse than what we think,” she said at the ceremony held at Tehran’s Farhang Shop.

“I express my thanks to Black Sun that has helped draw people’s attention to environment protection,” she said.

“I have made a film about Mahlaqa Mallah, a pioneer activist in environment protection, and I have made use of the music produced by Black Sun in my film which was a precious experience for me.

“I can say that this was a kind of paying respect to the group who has helped connect art with social concerns, pursuing a serious and praiseworthy goal,” she continued.

Leader of the ensemble Taher Ali-Ramezani also expressed his thanks to the supporters of the album and said that they would make their best efforts to raise awareness of people in music.

Black Sun was released by Nashr-e Javan Publications.

Photo: Filmmaker Rakhshan Bani-Etemad speaks after unveiling of Black Sun’s new album “Black Tear” in Tehran on May 2, 2015.

RM/YAW
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