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Iranian Movie 'A Separation' Gets Oscar Buzz, Political Flak
Asghar Farhadi's 'A Separation' won a Golden Globe, is nominated for two Academy Awards, and has garnered worldwide support, but reactions among Iranians range from absolute praise to conspiracy theories, a non- political movie to a film in support of the Green Movement, or even a pro-Islamic Republic film. Which one is it? -Daily Beast - 2/9/12
Sister Act From Iran Promotes Pop Music in Era of Repression
The sisters Melody and Safoura Safavi blend Iranian soul rhythms with reggae, rock, ska, and flamenco, singing in their native Farsi, plus English, Spanish and Swedish. Their lyrics, at once humorous and rebellious, speak of love and politics. -NY Times - 2/9/12
Pacific Symphony to Celebrate the Iranian New Year, Nowruz
Pacific Symphony, in its ongoing quest to discover new musical landscapes through its acclaimed American Composers Festival (ACF), this year celebrates the Iranian New Year festival of Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring and has been celebrated since ancient times. - 2/6/12
Cultural Highs And Lows For Iran
International recognition of Mr. Farhadi's work comes at a tense time for many filmmakers and other artists in Iran, who have been subjected to government censorship for decades. - 2/3/12
"A Separation" wins two awards in JIFF
Asghar Farhadi's A Separation has won the Golden Camel award for the best director at Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF). - 2/2/12
NYU to Host "Iran on Film: A Forum on Culture, Politics, and Daily Life in Iranian Documentary Cinema"
New York University will host "Iran on Film: A Forum on Culture, Politics, and Daily Life in Iranian Documentary Cinema," an event, in partnership with independent broadcaster Link TV, featuring excerpts of four documentary films and a panel discussion, on Thurs., Feb. 9 - 2/2/12
Call For Film Submissions: 5th Annual Iranian Film Festival in San Francisco
The 5th Annual Iranian Film Festival - San Francisco, a showcase for the independent feature and short films made by or about Iranians from around the world, is inviting the filmmakers from all over the world to submit their films to the next edition taking place September 2012. - 2/2/12
Actress Katayoun Riahi assigned Iran charity ambassador
The award-winning Iranian actress Katayoun Riahi has been assigned as the new ambassador of the country's Mehrafarin Charity Society. Mehrafarin Charity Society also introduced Tehran Wind Instruments Orchestra as the Co-Ambassador at the event. - 2/1/12
Iran actress wins Henri Langlois award
Renowned Iranian actress Fatemeh Motamed-Aria has been awarded at the 2012 edition of Annual Prix Henri Langlois's International Awards in France. - 2/1/12
Iranian establishment questions international success of "A Separation"
Iranian filmmaker Jamal Shurjeh, a staunch supporter of the Islamic Republic regime, has criticized the internationally acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, saying Farhadi's latest creation is in line with U.S. and Israeli policies. - 2/1/12
Iran's Film Community Demands Ban On House Of Cinema Be Lifted
Close to 2,000 members of Iran's film community have voiced their protest against the Iranian government's decision to ban the House of Cinema, an independently run organisation that promotes the film industry. - 1/31/12
A talented diaspora presents a new kind of Iranian music
Significantly, there is also a growing wave of young digital composers based in Iran itself who are using new technology to bypass stifling state restrictions on musical forms often deemed to be suspiciously westernised and experimental. -The National - 1/31/12
Iranian Film "A Separation" Receives Two Oscar Nominations
A Separation, the acclaimed film by Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, has been nominated in two Oscar categories: Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Screenplay. - 1/25/12
Iranian Film Wins Oscar Nomination
"A Separation," an Iranian film that won a Golden Globe award earlier this month, has been nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at this year's Academy Awards. - 1/24/12
"A Separation" receives Oscar nomination
A Separation by Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi has been shortlisted for an Academy Award in the category of Best Foreign Language Film. - 1/20/12
And they saw Golshifteh without a cover!
I love Golshifteh Farahani. When I opened my email in the morning, I saw a message from a kind and thoughtful friend who had sent me a link to the French magazine's website Madame Le Figaro featuring a nude photo by Golshifteh. She was as beautiful as ever, if not more! -M. Bibak - 1/19/12
Iranian Actress Breaks Taboos, Sparks Scandal By Posing Topless
An Iranian actress living in Paris has been praised for her courage and criticized for her indecency after posing topless for a French magazine and posting the photo on her Facebook page. Golshifteh Farahani, who moved to France last year, says Iranian authorities have told her not to return home. -Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE - 1/19/12
Iranian Film "Gold and Copper" Wins Best Film Award in California Whitehead Festival
Iranian feature film "Gold and Copper" directed by Homayoun Assadian won the Best Film Award of the 15th edition of Whitehead International Film Festival in Claremont, Californian. - 1/18/12
Asghar Farhadi's Violation of "Diplomatic Practices"
Iranian director Asghar Farhadi has been on a roll lately winning the Best Foreign Language Film awards at BFCA and the Golden Globe. And he is on his way to the Oscars! And while many in Iran are congratulating Farhadi and celebrating his success, this has infuriated the hardliners! - 1/17/12
Iran's Kiarostami: Golden Globe win comes with 'frustration' after cinema group closed
One of Iran's most prominent film directors said Monday he hoped the Golden Globes award to a fellow filmmaker will help lift the spirits of the country's artistic community after the state-ordered closure of an independent cinema group. -AP - 1/17/12
Iranian Film Wins Golden Globe
The Iranian film "A Separation" has won the Best Foreign Language Film award at the Golden Globe prizes in Los Angeles. The Golden Globes are ranked second in prestige after the Oscars in the annual Hollywood film awards. - 1/16/12
Submissions for the 5th Annual Noor Film Festival are now open!
The Noor Iranian Film Festival (NFF), founded in 2005, is an international event, with the goal of educating and informing the non-Iranian community about the culture and heritage of Iranians around the world through the medium of cinema. - 1/16/12
'A Separation' by Iranian Director Asghar Farhadi wins BFCA's Best Foreign Language Film award
The 17th BFCA Annual Critics' Choice Movie's Best Foreign Language Film award went to Farhadi's latest production while the Best Picture award was granted to Michel Hazanavicius's Artist. - 1/15/12
With 'A Separation' Up For Major Award, Film Festival Links Iran With Western Audiences
Ashgar Farhadi's film has received plaudits in Iran as well as in the international film community after being the first Iranian film to win the prestigious Golden Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival and being nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globe Awards in the United States. -Frud Bezhan, RFE - 1/14/12
Language of a nation: A glimpse of traditional Persian music
Ostaad (Master) Farhang Sharif (born 1931) in Amol, northern Iran is a well-known Iranian musician and renowned taar (Persian lute) player who has spent more than 70 years of his life on this exclusively Persian musical instrument. -Maryam Ala Amjadi - 1/14/12
Prominent Iranian director challenges closure of House of Cinema
Prominent Iranian director Asghar Farhadi has written a letter to the Ministry of Culture, calling for a vote on the decision to dissolve the House of Cinema in Iran. - 1/12/12
Iranian-Born Vocalist Creates Unique Musical Fusion
When fusion vocalist Hamed Nikpay walks onstage, his audience can expect to hear a soulful, richly layered sound that combines Nikpay's Persian musical traditions with the Latin rhythms of flamenco and the fluid melodies of jazz. -Lauren Monsen, IIP - 1/12/12
Iran's Leaders Shut Down Independent Film Group
Brushing aside protests by Iranian filmmakers and rights activists, Iran's Culture Ministry on Wednesday formally dissolved the House of Cinema, the only domestic organization that supports independent film, and moved to replace it with a committee that would not deviate from strict Islamic guidelines and politically permissible topics. -NY Times - 1/12/12
Iranian Judiciary Should Dismiss Ministry Order Against House of Cinema
The Iranian Judiciary should withdraw the Ministry of Culture order to shut down House of Cinema, the country's leading independent film association, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today. Authorities should end the unlawful attacks on independent civil society organizations and on freedom of expression and association, the Campaign added. - 1/11/12
Cineastes back Iran House of Cinema in row with Culture Ministry
A large number of Iranian cineastes and cinematic associations have backed the Iranian House of Cinema (IHC) in its dispute with the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. - 1/8/12
Abbas Kiarostami to return with "Shirin" charity screenings
Several theaters across the capital Tehran will be screening "Shirin" by Abbas Kiarostami, whose films have not been permitted to be shown in Iran over the past 15 years, in order to raise funds for the Kahrizak Charity Nursing Home. - 1/7/12
Iranian Film Festival 2012 at Freer Sackler in Washington, DC
The Freer's 16th annual Iranian Film Festival is cosponsored by the ILEX Foundation, with additional funding from the Iran Endowment Fund. It is curated by Tom Vick of the Freer and Sackler Galleries; Carter Long of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; and Marian Luntz of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. - 1/6/12
Culture Ministry's decision to disband Iran House of Cinema is illegal: Asgarpur
Managing director of Iranian House of Cinema (IHC) regards the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance's decision on disbanding the IHC as illegal. Mohammad-Mehdi Asgarpur made the statement in a press conference held in Tehran, only one day after the Culture Ministry ordered the Iranian House of Cinema to disband. - 1/5/12
Iran To Close Independent Cinema Guild
Iran's House of Cinema (IHC) has accused the country's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance of illegally ordering the independent film-promotion institute to close down. The ministry has given the IHC until January 5 to cease its activities in a move critics say is politically motivated. - 1/5/12
Iran's House of Cinema Shut Down by Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
Iran's Ministry of Culture has announced that the House of Cinema, the professional organization for the Iranian film community, has been dissolved. ISNA reported that the director of the House of Cinema has been notified, and the board is now considering the development. - 1/4/12
Iranian Artists Forum Hosting Parvin Etesami Film Festival
The Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) hosted the opening ceremony of the 6th edition of the Parvin Etesami Film Festival on Sunday after a one year hiatus. The festival, named in memory of the Iranian poetess Parvin Etesami, is in its 6th national edition this year. It was elevated to an international event last year. - 1/3/12
Iran's Farhadi says Academy Awards winners "unpredictable"
Iranian prominent director Asghar Farhadi said winners of Academy Awards cannot be predicted. Farhadi who is now in France for making his new film, said he was willing to return home after finishing the new project to screen the feature film in the country. - 12/31/11
Iran's House of Cinema ruled illegal
The Iran Public Culture Council (IPCC) has ruled the Iranian House of Cinema (IHC) is illegal. The decision was made on Tuesday during an IPCC meeting, which was held to settle a lawsuit filed against the organization by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance early December. - 12/29/11
British feature film smuggled out of Iran during the green revolution prepares for a U.S. Premiere January 16th
I Am Nasrine is a love story that chronicles the challenges facing a young Iranian girl who comes to live in Tyneside, UK and tackles a number of controversial themes around refugees and global politics. Shot in 2009 by South Shields filmmaker Tina Gharavi, the project has been eight years in making. - 12/29/11
"A Separation" nomination for Oscar depends on U.S. political climate: Iranian Official
The Iranian deputy culture minister for cinematic affairs said that "Nader and Simin, a Separation" is a possible Oscar nominee in the Best Foreign Language Films category, but everything would depend on the U.S. political climate at the time the Academy decides on nominations for this category. - 12/26/11
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Confiscated Confidential Footage to Fabricate Film, Says Nourizad
Following the release of a private and confidential film about his personal life, renowned filmmaker and journalist Mohammad Nourizad spoke with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran about the illegality of its release. - 12/21/11
Photos: Perforamnce of "Darkness Like a Dream" Play in Tehran
A Monologue / Desdemona, a lonely actress cast as a fairy in A Midsummer Night's Dream, invites a man she hasn't seen in seven years to a performance. Surprised and a little frightened when he actually shows up, she suggests that they go for coffee. -Fatemeh Behboudi - 12/17/11
"We Are Many" to tell the story of the biggest protest in history!
Producer-Director: Amir Amirani, Executive Producer: Taghi Amirani -- We Are Many is a documentary about the never-before-told story of the biggest protest in history, on 15 February 2003, and its legacy, through the Arab Spring to the Occupy Movement. The day that saw an estimated 30 million people in over 700 cities around the world, gave birth to a new global social movement. - 12/13/11
Iranian Filmmaker Released After Three Months
Iranian documentary filmmaker Mojtaba Mirtahmasb has been released from Evin Prison after three months in jail. ISNA reports that MirTahmasb, who was arrested on the charge of "collaborating with the Persian BBC network", was released Saturday night on bail of $200,000. - 12/11/11
Iranian theater scholar receives French Order of Chivalry
The French government bestowed the Chevalier of the Order of Academic Palms to Iranian theater scholar Professor Ahmad Kamyabi Mask, the Persian service of ISNA reported on Saturday. - 12/11/11
Iranian cinematographer Mahmud Kalari wins Silver Frog at Polish festival
Iranian cameraman Mahmud Kalari has won a Silver Frog from the Plus Camerimage, a Polish international festival of cinematography art. - 12/7/11
"For Immediate Release: A Tribute To Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof" in New York
Exit Art's Digimovies is pleased to announce a pair of screenings to mark the one-year anniversary of the Iranian government's imprisoning and silencing of two of its most politically outspoken and internationally revered filmmakers. - 12/5/11
Mehrdad Oskuii's documentary "Last Days of Winter" wins award at IDFA
Iranian documentary "The Last Days of Winter" has won the BlackBerry Award at the 24th International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA). Directed by Mehrdad Oskuii, the film is a portrait of seven Iranian boys in a youth detention center, talking candidly about their lives. - 11/27/11
Iranian filmmaker brings home India's Golden Elephant
The Iranian film "Meadow" was selected as the best film at the International Children's Film Festival India, the Golden Elephant. Directed by Mohammad-Ali Talebi, the film won a Golden Elephant Trophy for Best Feature Film. - 11/22/11
Performance: Siavash Kasrai's Scarlet Stone in Los Angeles
This epic piece is based on the last work of Siavash Kasrai, Moher-ye Sorkh (Scarlet Stone) which re-tells the most famous tragedy of Iranian mythology, namely Rostam and Sohrab. The production uses the modern rendition of Ferdowsi's ancient mythology to portray the current struggle of the people of Iran, especially those of the youth and women, in their brave quest for freedom and democracy. - 11/21/11
Iran: Accused BBC "collaborators" released
Iranian authorities have released Katayoun Shahabi and Mehran Zinatbakhsh, two members of the documentary filmmaking community who were detained for more than two months. - 11/10/11
Noor Film Festival in Florida
The Ancient Persia - Modern Iran Program Series presents selected highlights from the 4th Annual Noor Iranian Film Festival - November 5-6 at the Southeast Museum of Photography, Daytona State College, Daytona Beach - 11/2/11
Iran's "Nader and Simin, a Separation" nominated for British award
The acclaimed film "Nader and Simin, a Separation" by Iranian director-writer Asghar Farhadi is among five nominees for the best foreign film award at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA). - 11/1/11
Iranian Director Bahram Beyzai at UCLA
November 20-21 -- Bahram Beyzai, born 26 December 1938 in Tehran is a prominent Iranian film director, theatre director, screenwriter, playwright, film editor, producer, and researcher. - 11/1/11
Shahram Mokri's film "Burned, Cooked, Raw" wins Tashkent Golden Guepard Award
An Iranian short film won Golden Guepard Award at Tashkent International Film Festival. The short film "Raw, Cooked, Burned" by Iranian filmmaker Shahram Mokri won the "Golden Guepard" Award of the first Tashkent International Film Festival held October 19-26. - 10/29/11
Iranian actress Marzieh Vafamehr released from jail
Detained Iranian actress Marzieh Vafamehr has been released after three and half months in custody. Shargh newspaper reported her release. Vafamehr was arrested for her role in "My Tehran for Sale" and has received a preliminary sentence of one year in prison and 90 lashes for acting in the film. - 10/26/11
Iran: Culture Minister grilled by Parliament over "un-Islamic cinema"
The MPs criticized Hosseini for the condition of Iranian cinema and the "un-Islamic relationships" between actors and actresses in the movies produced over the past few years. Also, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani asked the culture minister to find a solution for "the problem of satellite channels." - 10/24/11
Iranian singer has own style
Mamak Khadem's family moved from Iran to the United States in 1977. By 1979, the regime of Ayatollah Khomeini had taken over in her homeland, creating a volatile and often oppressive situation in the country. Nevertheless, Khadem returned to Iran every summer to study singing. -South Bend Tribune - 10/23/11
Iranian activists condemn flogging sentence for actress Marzieh Vafamehr
A statement issued on behalf of 280 Iranian cultural and social activists is expressing their support for Iranian actress Marzieh Vafamehr, who has been sentenced to flogging for her role in "My Tehran for Sale." Vafamehr has been sentenced to one year in prison and 90 lashes for playing the lead role in the film by Geranaz Mousavi. - 10/22/11
Brazil Welcomes Iranian Filmmaker and Activist, Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Iranian filmmaker/activist and two time winner of the Cannes Film Festival, Mohsen Makhmalbaf will be in Brazil for a one week human rights tour, talking about violations in Iran and the crackdown on filmmakers and educators. - 10/22/11
Entertainment Industry Organizations Unite in Support of Imprisoned Iranian Filmmakers
In September 2011, the Iranian government arrested six independent filmmakers for allegedly working with the BBC, on charges including espionage and treason. Along with the ongoing house arrest of director Jafar Panahi and the prior arrest of actress Marzieh Vafamehr, who was later sentenced to one year in prison and 90 lashes, the arrests sparked outrage from filmmaking communities within Iran and around the world. - 10/21/11
Iran: Security chief lays out rules for foreign film work
The head of Iran's security forces has announced that any Iranian wanting to do work for a satellite network first needs a valid licence from the Ministry of Guidance, and working with the BBC and Voice of America is considered cooperation with "the enemy's intelligence services." - 10/21/11
Hollywood Groups Urge Release Of Iranian Filmmakers
Hollywood organizations and U.S. entertainment unions have joined together to call on Iranian authorities to release filmmakers who have been jailed and allow them return to filmmaking. - 10/20/11
Iranian Filmmakers Call for International Boycott of State-Run Film and TV Organizations
A month after the arrest of five independent Iranian filmmakers on charges of working for BBC Persian, 21 Iranian filmmakers and actors living outside of the country signed a statement asking the international community to boycott official Iranian film and television organizations and impose sanctions on Iranian media officials. - 10/19/11
Talk at UCLA: A Social History of Cinema in Iran
October 24: A talk by Hamid Naficy, Northwestern University: Naficy is Professor of Radio-Television-Film and the Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor in Communication at Northwestern University, where he also has an appointment with the Department of Art History. - 10/17/11
Jail term confirmed for Iranian filmmakers Panahi and Rasoulof
An Iranian appellate court has confirmed the prison sentence of Iranian filmmakers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof. Iranian media report that the two filmmakers have been convicted of "activity against national security and propaganda activities against the regime," with Jafar Panahi receiving a six-year sentence and Rasoulof getting one year. - 10/15/11
Iranian film wins Beirut Festival award
A Dog's Life (Zendegiye Sagi) by Iranian filmmaker Hana Makhmalbaf has won the Gold "Aleph" for Best Middle-Eastern Short Film at the Beirut International Film Festival. Makhmalbaf reportedly dedicated the award to Iranian filmmakers currently jailed by the Islamic Republic. - 10/15/11
Photos: Sixth Street Theater Festival in Marivan
Troupes from five countries are participating the Six Nationwide Street Theater Festival in Marivan, Iran's Kurdistan province. The international section of the Festival is being held from Oct 11-15 with performers from Tajikistan, Iraq, Japan, Turkey and France. -Saman Abbasi - 10/14/11
Iranian Director Wins Top Prize At Asia's Biggest Film Festival
Iranian director Morteza Farshbaf has won one of the top two honors at Asia's largest film festival, South Korea's Busan International Film Festival. - 10/14/11
Iranian actress sentenced to prison and lashings
Marzieh Vafamehr, an Iranian filmmaker and actress who has been detained since last July for acting in the film My Tehran for Sale, has been sentenced to one year in jail and 90 lashes. - 10/10/11
Iran releases two detained filmmakers
Two of the recently arrested Iranian documentary makers charged with collaborating with Persian BBC were released yesterday after 22 days in jail. The Iranian Documentary Makers Association announced that Nasser Safarrian and Mohsen Shahnazdar were released on October 9, giving no further details. - 10/10/11
"Iran national broadcaster filed suit against filmmakers"
Iranian documentary makers were arrested because of a complaint from Iran's national broadcaster, Seda va Sima, says a relative of one of the detainees. In the past month, the Islamic Republic has detained six of its filmmakers on charges of "collaborating with Persian BBC." - 10/8/11
Iranian producer in talks to hire Angelina Jolie
An Iranian producer said on Tuesday that he is in negotiations to hire American actress Angelina Jolie for a film project, which will be shot in Iran. - 10/5/11
Iran Cinemas Threaten To Close Over Financial Woes
Iranian cinema owners have threatened to close their movie houses to protest against costs that have soared since energy subsidies were slashed last year. - 10/5/11
Reluctantly, an Iranian director becomes a symbol
Asghar Farhadi takes a deep breath and wonders how to answer a simple question: "Are you happy?" "That's a good question," the director said. And then he waits, leaving it unanswered. -LA Times - 10/5/11
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