XHM #781 - "Anghodar farar kardam/khili doydam" (2026 March 23)
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Exploding Head Movies Episode 781 dives into a rich tapestry of Iranian culture, music, and political context, framed by the celebration of Noruz, the Persian New Year, and the ongoing global resonance of Iranian diaspora art. Host Gack weaves together archival radio broadcasts, experimental soundscapes, and cinematic soundtracks to explore themes of resistance, renewal, and identity. The episode opens with a haunting number station in Farsi—V32—highlighting Cold War-era espionage techniques reemerging in a new geopolitical climate. This leads into a deep exploration of Iranian music, from the avant-garde work of Radio Tehran and the haunting score of *A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night* to the classical compositions of Hossein Alizadeh and Siavash Amini. The show also spotlights contemporary Canadian-Iranian cinema, particularly *Universal Language*, a surreal satire set in a Farsi-speaking Winnipeg, and pays tribute to cultural figures like Country Joe McDonald and Len Dayton. Throughout, the episode reflects on the power of radio as both a survival tool and a cultural archive, especially in times of crisis.
Iranian diaspora music, from 1970s Tehran disco to modern experimental acts, offers a powerful lens into cultural memory and resistance.
The emergence of a Farsi-speaking number station (V32) signals a new chapter in global espionage, with implications for digital and radio sovereignty.
Cinematic soundtracks like those from *A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night* and *Universal Language* blend genre, identity, and political commentary.
Radio remains a vital lifeline during disasters, even as traditional services like Environment Canada’s weather radio are phased out.
Noruz celebrations symbolize renewal, community, and resilience—especially relevant amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
Opening Rituals and the Sound of the World
The episode begins with a chaotic yet poetic introduction, blending radio jargon, poetic musings, and a call to tune in. Gack establishes the show’s ethos—radio as a living, breathing, sometimes broken medium—while setting the tone with ambient sounds and references to global radio signals.
The Ghost of Radio: Weather, Number Stations, and Cold War Echoes
“A new one's popped up that's longer. It's nicknamed V32. It started on February 28th, 2026. And this marks the first time that a number station is counting in Farsi.”
Iranian Music and the Diaspora: From Tehran to Toronto
“We heard Radio Tehran here from A Girl Who Walks Home Alone at Night. This is Gilae.”
Cinematic Soundscapes: From *Persopolis* to *Universal Language*
“The basic setup is that picture Canada as it is, except the primary language and culture is tied to Farsi and Iran, except for Quebec, which is still very French.”
Noruz, Memory, and the Future of Radio
The episode closes with reflections on Noruz, the Iranian New Year, and the enduring power of radio as a medium of survival, memory, and connection. Gack ties together themes of renewal, cultural preservation, and the role of community in times of crisis.
“The basic setup is that picture Canada as it is, except the primary language and culture is tied to Farsi and Iran, except for Quebec, which is still very French.”
“A new one's popped up that's longer. It's nicknamed V32. It started on February 28th, 2026. And this marks the first time that a number station is counting in Farsi.”
“We'll hear a number station currently called V32, something I only started a few weeks ago, broadcasting Farsi numbers to agents in the field who understand what's going on there.”
Host
CITR
organization
Gack
person
V32
other
Universal Language
media
Bruce McCullough
person
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
media
Hossein Alizadeh
person
Radio Tehran
other
Siavash Amini
person
Persopolis
media
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