Iran’s Arrow is a documentary about a British car (the Hillman Hunter) that was introduced to Iran in 1967. It became Iran’s national car and was produced there under the model name “Paykan” (meaning ‘Arrow’) for 38 years. Naturally, being home-produced it attracted no import duties and quickly became the affordable family transport across the nation, getting Iran moving in much the same way the Fiat 500 or the Beetle did in Italy and Germany.
However, would this festival really show a film that is merely about a car? Of course not. Iran’s Arrow is actually about the turmoil of post-war Iran and it’s a thought-provoking and beautifully-crafted story, as well as a fascinating slice of social history from a misunderstood nation. We are hoping the director, Shahin Armin, will be driving his very own Paykan from Tehran to Mill Hill for the London festival.
