In southern Iran, a new generation of Black Iranian youth is making their mark on the country’s cultural landscape. Bandar Abbas in particular has slowly been emerging as a creative hotspot of talent, and through a striking series of film photographs, Iranian photographer Ali Moradizadeh offers an intimate glimpse into this dynamic world, celebrating the creativity, resilience, and authentic spirit that define it.
Born in Bandar Abbas himself, Moradizadeh has provided a more nuanced perspective on Iran’s Black communities through these photographs, while also shining a light on an often overlooked group of people (‘Iran has Black people?!’ is not uncommonly heard from both foreigners and Iranians alike). “My goal is to capture the essence, vibrancy, and dynamic world of Iranian Black culture,” he explains.
The photographs are a striking blend of bold portraiture and spontaneous scenes of street life. In one image, two young men gaze defiantly at the camera, against the backdrop of a small alley typical of the southern regions. Another captures a group posing together, their expressive streetwear and stances exuding a sense of togetherness and cool confidence. Some pictures are simple and candid―just black Iranian boys hanging out and having fun.
Moradizadeh’s subjects, who he met through friends immersed in the local hip-hop and fashion scenes, are portrayed with a rawness and vitality that brings their spirit and individuality to life. “It never felt like a photoshoot,” he recalls of the experience.
“It was more like hanging out in ‘the hood’, living and capturing the moments as they naturally unfolded.”
While he celebrates the growing representation of Black Iranians in areas like fashion and music, Moradizadeh believes these communities are still significantly underrepresented and often misrepresented in cultural narratives. “I strive to showcase the beauty in the ordinary and the strength in the struggle, providing an insider’s viewpoint into the soul of these communities,” he states.
In capturing these fleeting moments, Moradizadeh’s photographs, at times rough or maybe slightly blurred, invites viewers to simply look and observe, to see an authentic picture of a culture that has long existed for centuries, but been overlooked nonetheless.
Photography Ali Moradizade