Iran is a nation of contrasts. Not just because what the news tells us conflicts with our western values, but because the country itself harbours so many paradoxes and internal contradictions that it is difficult to entertain a black-and-white image of Iranian reality. City vs. countryside, fundamentalism vs. secularism, an age-old civilisation vs. a both energetic and mindless modernity  and 100,000 bloggers fighting each other on the internet!

With IRAN vs. IRAN, CPH:DOX is focusing on the central axis of conflict in an ancient country with a very young population where over 60 per cent are less than 30 years old. Youth rebellion is simmering under the surface, and in films such as 'Rapping in Teheran' and Bahman Ghobadi's 'Nobody Knows About Persian Cats', which describe how the underground uses music as an instrument for social change.

Both here and in the other films of the series, we are given an insight into 'the other Iran' inhabited by Mozart fans, indie-rockers, hip hoppers and 18 million internet-connected citizens. A few of them will visit CPH:DOX  among them the latest addition to the impressive Iranian pantheon of filmmakers, the 21-year-old Hana Makhmalbaf who will present her latest docu-fiction 'Green Days' about this summer's heated presidential elections, a film that comes fresh from its premiere in Venice.

IRAN vs. IRAN is supported by Vi Københavnere and IMS  International Media Support