Tower Sounds: Ancient Voices and Electronics
Music performances on July 11-12: The eight-story-high Ann Hamilton Tower took 12 years to plan, design, and build, requiring 2000 tons of concrete. Windows of various shapes and sizes let in light and allow sound to be heard outside the tower walls as well. - 7/1/09
Iranian play "The Cow" at German Kids Fest
Iran's "The Cow" drama jointly made by Mahdi Farshidi Sepehr and Hamed Zahmatkesh is to be performed at German Kids Festival. - 6/30/09
Bon Jovi Records Version of "Stand by Me" for Iranian People
With nearly wall-to-wall coverage of Michael Jackson's death, it might be easy to forget the ongoing struggle taking place in Iran. But rocker Jon Bon Jovi hasn't forgotten. -TV Guide - 6/28/09
Open Letter by Renowned Iranian Director Bahman Farmanara: A coward dies a thousand times before his death...
These days we are being invited to a Banquet of Silence; I believe that by attending it we will not only lose our own voice forever, but, more importantly, we will bring eternal shame on ourselves by ignoring the bloody death of NEDA on the streets of Tehran. - 6/27/09
Statement of Iranian documentary filmmakers
We are documentary filmmakers. Our work is to discover and to tell the truth. Truth can only be found when all aspects of reality are told. In the course of recent events in our country, our national media, by deliberately hiding the reality of the situation, is making it impossible for the public to access the truth. - 6/20/09
Iran's "Wood Carpet" wins Jury Special Award at Hamburg Film Festival
Iran's "Wood Carpet" directed by Abdul Rahman Mirani received Jury Special Award worth 1500 euros at Hamburg International Short Film Festival. - 6/9/09
Iranian director's debut row
Mozart's opera, Cosi fan tutte, is being performed by the English National Opera in London in the absence of its director. Abbas Kiarostami, the renowned Iranian film maker, was not allowed into the country to oversee his work. Kiarostami was supposed to come to London for Cosi's rehearsals and premiere. -BBC - 6/9/09
Introducing Yara Shahidi To The Persian Community Worldwide
9-year old Yara Shahidi will make her theatrical debut June 12, 2009, starring opposite Eddie Murphy, in Paramount Picture's "Imagine THAT". Her talent can be seen in her portrayal as Murphy's daughter, the full-spirited character 'Olivia.' - 6/7/09
Parissa: An Evening of Persian Classical Music (Asia Society, New York)
With a voice "at once refined and deeply emotional" (The Planet¸ Australia), renowned classical Iranian vocalist Parissa sings the words of poet Rumi, accompanied by renowned musician Iman Vaziri on tar (traditional plucked lute) and Dara Afraz on tombak (hand drum) and daf (frame drum). - June 11th - June 12th - 6/7/09
Iranian Academy of Arts to hold seminar on Qajar films next year
Iranian Academy of Arts is to hold a seminar on Qajar films (1794-1925) in the coming year. Filmmakers and experts will speak about the Qajar films in the main section, while an exhibition of photos about the Qajar films will be set up on the sideline of the seminar. - 6/7/09
Film Review: The Stoning of Soraya M.
In Southwestern Iran, roughly thirty-five miles outside of the city of Kerman, lies the small village of Kupayeh. In 1986, French-Iranian journalist Freidoune Sahebjam's car unexpectedly stalled on the steep, narrow roads zigzagging along Kupayeh's austere mountain ridges, stranding him in the wind-whipped village. -Deena Guzder - 6/6/09
Concerto for Baluch by Iranian Composer to be performed June 11 in Saint Petersburg, Russia
The world premiere of Concerto for Baluch ,Which utilize folk music material from "Sistan and Baluchestan" by Persian composer Mehdi Hosseini offers further evidence that music provides an opportunity to broaden the audience's perspective and create an atmosphere of openness to the plight of others. - 6/3/09
US theaters to screen Superstar by Iranian Director Tahmineh Milani
Superstar by Iran's prominent filmmaker Tahmineh Milani is scheduled to hit silver screens at three movie theaters in California. - 6/3/09
HBO's Spotlight On Iran to Air "Letters to the President"
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – the first Iranian leader in a generation who is not a religious cleric – is one of the most controversial figures on the world stage. Though embraced by some Iranians – particularly the rural poor – as a "man of the people," he also divides opinion within his country. - 6/1/09
The Laughing Radical
Bearded and brooding, Massoud Dehnamaki hardly comes across like the director of a blockbuster comedy film. He spent three years fighting on the front lines of the Iran-Iraq War. After returning home, Dehnamaki joined an Islamic paramilitary group called Ansar-e Hizbullah, a militia accused of attacking theaters showing films that were deemed un-Islamic. -Babak Dehghanpisheh, Newsweek - 5/28/09
Katayoun Riahi, popular Iranian actress, says Farewell to Cinema
Sometimes life is in such a way that one forsakes one's today's bread for tomorrow's hunger. Then one's dreams are delayed. Sometimes, one is betrayed by fate in such a way that one imagines it is one's own decision. It is then when one makes claims which later becomes a trap... - 5/26/09
TFI Adrienne Shelly Foundation Screenwriting Fellowship Goes to Ana Lily Amirpour
The late actress' husband Andy Ostroy, who also serves as Executive Director of the foundation, and advisory board member Emily Deschanel presented the award to Ana Lily Amirpour for "The Stones," in which class, tradition and love all violently collide in modern day Tehran, as a young working class girl embarks on a forbidden love with a wealthy young man with fatal consequences. - 5/25/09
Prince Of Persia Finishes Shooting!
Principle Photography in Morocco and London for the live action scenes of the much expected blockbuster Production of Mike Newell and Jerry Bruckheimer's Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time has wrapped up and began post Production back at the Disney Studios. -Darius KADIVAR - 5/25/09
Compilation Album of Iranian Underground Music to be Released
The first in a series of compilation albums tapping Iran's thriving underground music scene will be released worldwide in July 2009. UK-based Bar-Ax Promotions has teamed up with USA indie record label Bamahang Productions to release this music series in order to help give worldwide exposure to the struggling underground musicians in Iran. - 5/21/09
Iranian Film at Brooklyn Festival
Iranian documentary "A Day after the Tenth Day" directed by Narges Abyar is to be screened at Brooklyn International Film Festival competition line-up. The festival will run in New York from June 5-14. - 5/19/09
Radio Festival begins in Tehran
The 10th International Radio Festival and the Second Radio Forum began here on Monday. Some 60 producers from 42 countries are participating in the two cultural events. - 5/18/09
Iranian film wins honorary diploma at Dot Plant Festival
Iran's "Days without Calendar" by Mehrdad Oskouei received honorary diploma from Dot Plant International Film Festival in Poland. The film narrates a documentary on borstal. - 5/18/09
Iranian filmmaker's pain over 'fiancee' Saberi's time in jail
As award-winning Iranian film-maker Bahman Ghobadi walked down the Cannes red carpet for the premiere of his new feature Thursday, the real star of the show was conspicuously absent. -CNN - 5/18/09
Eurovision: A Melting-Pot Contest, Where Native Doesn't Always Mean Best
The Iranian-Swedish performer, who is singing with Azeri artist AySel for the Azerbaijani entry, told RFE/RL that his "biggest dream" is to sing for Iran -- which is currently not eligible for the Eurovision contest. - 5/16/09
'How can I go back home?' says Iranian film-maker at Cannes
Award-winning Iranian film-maker Bahman Ghobadi, in Cannes with an underground movie from Tehran, says the country's tight censorship and restrictions mean he "may not go back."-AFP - 5/15/09
Cannes gets political on first day
A torrid gay sex movie from China and a blistering denunciation of screen and music censorship in Iran threw world politics centre-stage at the Cannes film festival on Thursday. -AFP - 5/14/09
Filmmaker Shirin Neshat Brings Acclaimed Iranian Novel to Screen
"The deep green garden, its walls plastered with mud, faced the river with the village behind it." This is the opening line to Women Without Men, Shahrnush Parsipur's highly praised and controversial 1989 novel of five women from very different backgrounds and experiences who find freedom and refuge — physical, psychological and spiritual — in a mystical garden outside Tehran. - 5/13/09
Director explores Iran's covert music scene
Film director Bahman Ghobadi challenges Iran's draconian censorship and pays tribute to the country's underground rappers and rockers in his new film to be shown in the Cannes film festival next week. -AFP - 5/12/09
Reza Haeri's "Porove Akhar" wins Jury Order of Glory at Documenta Madrid Festival
The documentary tells the story of a tailor named Mr. Arabpour making clothing for clerics and says stories about sewing clothing. - 5/10/09
Iran's "Angels Die in the Soil" wins award at San Francisco Film Festival
52nd San Francisco International Film Festival Winners Announced at Golden Gate Awards Ceremony Wednesday, May 6 - 5/9/09
"The New Great American Director"- Iranian American Ramin Bahrani
Ramin Bahrani's story begins with his parents' move from Iran to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1968. His father, a native of Shiraz, was essential in exposing Mr. Bahrani to the poems of Hafez. Breaking away from the traditional Iranian-American encouragement towards the fields of medicine, science, law or engineering, the Bahranis were supportive of their son's passion for the arts. - 5/8/09
Iran's famous stunt man killed in freak accident
Iranian stunt man Peyman Abadi, who had appeared in a popular German TV series, has been killed during the filming of an Iranian TV series in Tehran. - 5/8/09
Winners of the 2009 Noor Film Festival Announced
The 3rd Annual Noor Film Festival concluded last Sunday with a sold out awards ceremony. We like to thank all of our sponsors, filmmakers, award presenters, judges, and movie fans that made this event more successful than ever! -NFF Team - 5/8/09
Renowned Iranian filmmaker Kiarostami cancels performance in London due to visa complications
Kiarostami was to direct a production of Così Fan Tutte at London's Coliseum. But according to a report by Guardian, Kiarostami yesterday announced that he would not be travelling to the UK to direct the production, because, an ENO spokeswoman said, he "does not feel he was treated in a respectful way" when applying for his visa. He found the process "unduly time-consuming and hugely complicated", she added. - 5/6/09
Iran's Hafez Nazeri unveils new Setar
Iranian musician Hafez Nazeri has unveiled his new Persian string instrument which is believed to be a developed form of the Setar -Haber27 - 5/4/09
Theater giants add perfect ending to Iranian students' festival
Honoring the giants of Iranian theater inspired a lovely night for the closing ceremony of the 12th International University Theater Festival at Tehran's City Theater Complex on Saturday. - 5/3/09
Farhadi's "About Elly" wins Best Narrative Feature award at Tribeca Film Festival
Asghar Farhadi's Iranian mystery on the Caspian Sea captured the hearts of World Narrative Feature Jurors Bradley Cooper, Uma Thurman, Todd Haynes, Meg Ryan and Richard Fischoff: "The universality of the characters and themes and the director's riveting grasp of this story make About Elly a film that collapses barriers and deepens our understanding of the world we share." - 5/1/09
The Godfather of American TV: Reza Badiyi interview
Born in Tehran Iran, director Reza Badiyi came to America in 1955, a very good year for American culture and iconic film and television. Prior to his coming to America, a young Badiyi was already a filmmaker in his native Iran; his work so notable that he was given the Golden Ribbon of Art by the Shah of Iran. -Monsters and Critics - 5/1/09
BEAUTY IN FOCUS!
Darius Khondji's Cinematography Highlights Michelle Pfeiffer's Breathtaking Beauty in Stephen Frears' screen adaptation of "The Belle Époque" French Novel: Cheri -Darius KADIVAR - 4/29/09
German director yearns for Iranian classic theater
German stage director Nadine Hellriegel said that she is very interested to know more about Iran's theater especially the classic form. Hellrigel is currently in Tehran to stage her dramatic opera, "The Medium", during the 12th International University Theater Festival, which opened on April 25. - 4/29/09
Iran's Sadrameli wins best director prize at Singapore Film Fest
Iranian filmmaker, Rasoul Sadrameli won the best director prize at the 22nd Singapore Film Festival for his "Every Night, Loneliness." - 4/27/09
Qobadi to shoot "Persian Gulf" in October
Bahman Qobadi plans to shoot his next project "Persian Gulf" in October. "Persian Gulf" is a response to all those who call the region the Arab Gulf and the director intends the film's viewpoint to favor of Iran. - 4/26/09
Iranian songwriter Bijan Taraqqi dies at 80
The songwriter of "Fire Remaining from the Caravan," Bijan Taraqqi, died Saturday morning at his home. He was 80. Taraqqi was born in 1929 in Tehran to a family in which literature played a major role. His father, Mohammad Ali Taraqqi, owned a bookstore where the literary figures of the time like Shahriar, Bahar, Nima Yushij, and Rahi Moayyeri used to meet. - 4/25/09
Bahman Qobadi's "Nobody Knows About Persian Cats" at Cannes Film Festival
The latest product by prominent Iranian filmmaker Bahman Qobadi will be displayed at 2009 Cannes Film Festival. "Nobody Knows About Persian Cats" will be present at the 62nd edition of the international event. - 4/24/09
Students festival expands theatrical horizons: Iranian Scholar
Tehran will be playing host to 12th International Students Theater Festival, which opens tomorrow. Students' theater festivals negotiate many new concepts, in other than complicated, theoretical grounds which are relevant to immediate social needs, theater scholar Behzad Ghaderi believes. - 4/24/09
A love letter for Roxana from her film director partner
In an emotional declaration, Bahman Ghobadi - partner of jailed journalist Roxana Saberi - has appealed to the Iranian authorities to release the woman he says is 'too pure' to be guilty -Independent - 4/23/09
The Twist: Acclaimed Iran Director Says 'Saberi Is My Fiancee'
The high-profile case of a young Iranian-American woman sentenced by Iran to a lengthy prison term for alleged espionage took an unexpected twist when an acclaimed Iranian filmmaker stepped forward to vouch for her innocence and say his "fiancee and companion" had stayed in the country at his urging. - 4/22/09
The Devil's Ship in Tehran
My cultural thirst for diversity has been fulfilled on and off by good films, concerts and on rare occasion theatre. So I was delighted that last Friday our friend Sharareh invited us and a few others to see The Devil's Ship, a play by the well known man of theatre in Iran Mr Attila Pessyani. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 4/22/09
US Premier of HAYEDEH Documentary
"HAYEDEH, Legendary Persian Diva" will have its US premiere at the Noor Film Festival in Los Angeles on May 1st. Made by 28-year old pianist and journalist Pejman Akbarzadeh, based in the Netherlands, the 100-min. documentary is in Persian with English subtitles. - 4/20/09
Rouz and My Iranian Girl
Born in Tehran, Iran, Rouz is a complex breath of fresh air to urban music. Living in Iran during the time of the Gulf war, where danger was imminent at every turn has no doubt infiltrated into some of the topics of his songs. Rouz came to the UK at a very young age and grew up in West London, a place he very much considers to be home. -ilikemusic - 4/18/09
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