Iranian Enlightenment Week - New York City
Nov 6-14; Asia Society: Women of Iran Film Series: Border Cafe; Leila Taghinia-Milani Heller Gallery: Roya Akhavan: Nexus; Open Center: Lecture, An Evening of Persian Mystical Poetry and Wisdom' New York University: Hafez Nazeri, Meet the Artist; Asia Society: A Conversation/Demonstration, Shahram and Hafez Nazeri; Carnegie Hall: Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1 performance - 11/6/09
MTV-U's Poet Laureate: Simin Behbahani
MTV (Music Television) "University" has selected Simin Behbahani, "the poet who never sold her soul or her pen," to be its second poet laureate. For a visually challenged 82-years-young Iranian, how cool is that? Beginning Monday, Nov. 2nd Behbahani's poems will be featured on MTV-U in a series of 19 short films. -Scott Harrop - 11/4/09
The Bakhtiari Alphabet, a documentary on nomadic life in Iran, to be screened at Sacred Heart University
Directed by Reza Ghadiani and Sacred Heart University Associate Professor Cima Sedigh, this film follows the Bakhtiari tribe, a nomadic community in Iran. It provides cultural insight and engaging issues related to the challenges of educating children in a nomadic community. - 11/2/09
Iran's Culture Ministry pursues cineastes' recent concern
Deputy Culture Minister for Cinematic Affairs Javad Shamaqdari is pursuing the recent statement released by cineastes warning against the marginalization of Iran's independent cinema. - 11/1/09
Cineastes warn against marginalization of Iran's independent cinema
A significant number of cineastes have warned against the marginalization of Iran’s independent cinema. A group of 46 cinematic figures has announced their concern in a third statement recently released by the Filmmaking Society of Iranian cinema. - 10/30/09
Iran Culture Ministry comments on travel restrictions on cineastes
Managing Director of the Iranian House of Cinema Mohammad-Mehdi Asgarpur, House of Cinema Spokesman Amin Tarokh, and filmmaker Reza Mirkarimi recently asked the Culture Ministry for a response to the issue of the recent prohibition of cineastes from exiting the country. - 10/30/09
Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle I
With collaboration of Asia Society and Open Center, Hafez Nazeri has created a week dedicated to Iranian culture in New York which concludes with Rumi Symphony concert on Nov 14th. - 10/28/09
Music: Curtis Symphony Orchestra to premiere Iranian composer's new concerto
Composer Behjad Ranjbaran's ravishing Violin Concerto, requiring enormous interpretive and virtuoso skills, is the centerpiece of Tuesday's program by the always exhilarating Curtis Symphony Orchestra. -philly.com - 10/28/09
First Kurdish Film Festival in US Showcases Diaspora Culture
Organizers call it "a cinema across borders," the first-ever festival of Kurdish film in the United States. The films chosen for the five-day event at New York University focused on a people widely dispersed, from those who still live in traditionally Kurdish areas in the Middle East, to Europe and North America. - 10/28/09
Freedom to Create Prize announces finalists
Mohsen Makhmalbaf, the celebrated filmmaker and official overseas spokesman for 2009 Iranian presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi, is today revealed as one of the shortlisted finalists for the 2009 Freedom to Create Prize. - 10/27/09
Photos: Tehran's House of Music celebrates Radif's Inscription by UNESCO
A gathering was held in the House of Music in Tehran last week to celebrate the inscription of the Radif of Iranian music on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. - 10/26/09
THE CHRONICLES OF IRANIA: A Play by Maryam Hamidi & Catrin Evans
The Chronicles of Irania performed from a Persian rug, delves into a world of myth making, into a land that is almost recognisable. Travel with Khadijeh, our strong and playful host as, together, we navigate through stories to reveal "the truth of Irania". - 10/26/09
Iranian director Sadr-Ameli honored at Italy's Religion Today Festival
Rasoul Sadr-Ameli has won a special award for "Every Night, Loneliness" at the 12th Religion Today Film Festival. He received the special jury award of the students of the FSC Universit� Pontificia Salesiana during the closing ceremony of the event, which took place in the Italian cities of Trento, Rome, Bolzano, Bassano, and Nomadelfia - 10/25/09
Iranian Film Screening and Photography Exhibit in New York
An Iranian film screening and photography exhibit will be held on the evening of November 4th at Gershwin hotel in New York. - 10/25/09
Cineastes: Even Without Passport, We Are Iranians
Actress Fatemeh Motamed-Arya and documentarian Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, both members of the delegation, were prevented from traveling to the U.S. at Tehran�s Imam Khomeini Airport. In addition, world-renowned Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi�s passport was confiscated at Tehran�s Imam Khomeini Airport just as he was departing for France on October 15. Motamed-Arya, Mirtahmasb, and Panahi sent a joint letter to the Iranian media on Friday, saying they will always remain independent Iranian cineastes. - 10/24/09
Kurdish work of Persian composer presented in Russia
Persian composer Mehdi Hosseini has presented his new work Peshtpa, which utilizes Kurdish folk material, at the International Conference A REVERSE PERSPECTIVE. The composition, scored for oboe, bass clarinet, and violoncello, was included on a program that is dedicated to the anniversaries of the births of Pushkin (210 years), Gogol (200 years), and Futurism (100 years) and displayed music of the St. Petersburg school of composition. - 10/23/09
Pearls on the Ocean Floor: Documentary about the lives and work of contemporary Iranian women artists
Morono Kiang Gallery in Los Angeles presents a special preview screening of Pearls on the Ocean Floor, a new documentary (in progress) by Robert Adanto, about the lives and work of contemporary Iranian women artists around the world. The segment being presented includes interviews with Afshan Ketabchi, Sara Rahbar, Leila Pazooki, Parastou Forouhar, Shirin Neshat, Negar Ahkami and Pooneh Maghazehe. - 10/22/09
1001 Nights Wins 6th Spot at Mip Junior: Shahrzad's Animated Tales are a hit in the Making!
1001 Nights is a new 2D animated comedy series for the ages of 6-9 exploring the ancient Persian tales as told by Shahrzad. The more famous, known stories include Ali Baba & the 40 Thieves, Aladdin and Sinbad. - 10/21/09
Be first to hear new piece
Growing up in Iran in the 1960s, Behzad Ranjbaran had little opportunities to hear the Persian music of his heritage. It was Western music that dominated the Tehran Music Conservatory where he enrolled at age 9 to study violin. -Daily Press - 10/18/09
Cinema Verite Festival kicks off in Tehran
Last August, 136 Iranian documentary filmmakers announced that they would not participate in the festival in a letter published by the media. - 10/16/09
First New York Kurdish Film Festival: A Cinema Across Borders
Bringing together an exciting range of films and documentaries from across the Kurdish region and the Kurdish diaspora, the festival will feature ten short films, a documentary and eight feature films - 10/15/09
Award-winning Iranian actress Shohreh Aghdashloo highlights her career
Tehran-born actress Shohreh Aghdashloo became the first Iranian American to win an Emmy Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, receiving the honor September 20, 2009, for her supporting role in the original HBO miniseries House of Saddam. - 10/12/09
Tehran Vocal Ensemble grabs one more golden award in Italy
The Tehran Vocal Ensemble won a Golden Diploma in Italy's 8th International Choir Competition and Festival of Jazz, Gospel, Pop and Secular and Sacred Music. The festival ran from October 8 to 12, 2009 at Riva del Garda, Italy. - 10/12/09
Iranian filmmaker Makhmalbaf dedicates his award to opposition leader Karroubi
Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf won the Lifetime Achievement Award at Nuremberg Human Rights Film Festival today. Makhmalbaf dedicated his award to Mehdi Karroubi, the disputing candidate of Iran's June presidential elections. - 10/11/09
Filmmaker Bahman Farmanara to try his luck abroad
Iranian director Bahman Farmanara plans to pursue his career abroad. However, it is not clear that the outcomes will receive Iranian cultural officials' approval. - 10/11/09
BRAVO MESDAMES!: Aghdashloo, Neshat, Reza and Farahani Shined Through 2009 Summer Season's International Awards
It's been a particularly eventful Summer for the Iranian Diaspora Artists. Many have been blessed with prestigious International Awards in their discipline. Their personal success was also an opportunity for the laureates to highlight the struggle of their less fortunate compatriots and colleagues back home in their bid for freedom of expression, the respect of human rights and demands for genuine democracy. -Darius KADIVAR - 10/9/09
Tehran airport officials stop two Iranian cineastes from traveling to U.S.
Actress Fatemeh Motamed-Arya and documentarian Mojtaba Mirtahmasb were members of an Iranian cinematic delegation scheduled to take part in a 10-day program, which has been organized by the UCLA Film & Television Archive and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Iranian cinema. - 10/9/09
Iran Culture Ministry lifts ban on Hatamikia's "Color of Purple"
The film, which tells the story of a romance between an Iranian intelligence agent and the daughter of an opposition group leader, was withdrawn from the screening schedule of the 23rd Fajr International Film Festival 2005 by Hatamikia due to the objections of the Intelligence Ministry. - 10/8/09
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: IRANIAN FILMMAKERS IN THEIR OWN WORDS - at UCLA and the Academy Oct. 9 - 16
In conjunction with the visit of a group of prominent Iranian filmmakers to Los Angeles, the Academy and the UCLA Film & Television Archive will present a series of recent Iranian films, each followed by a discussion with one or more of the film's principal creators. - 10/6/09
"Green Movement" Film Festival in Hamburg, Germany
Filmfest Hamburg ist seit dem 28. September 2009 von der iranischen Freiheitsbewegung „Green Movement“ ergriffen. Spontan schließen sich Filmfest-Gäste der friedlichen Widerstandsbewegung an und lassen sich aus Solidarität mit einem grünen Schal fotografieren. - 10/4/09
Hollywood to host Iranian delegation
After the Hollywood delegation's trip to Iran, now it's Iran's turn! An Iranian delegation comprised of the House of Cinema officials and several cineastes is scheduled to attend a Hollywood program. - 10/2/09
Iranian "Pothole" a worthy debut effort
An offbeat variation on the post-earthquake film familiar from Iranian movies like Abbas Kiarostami's "And Life Goes On...," "Pothole" foregoes sentiment and optimism for cynical reality. -Reuters - 9/28/09
Meshkatian is alive in our hearts and minds: Shajarian
Meshkatian is alive in our hearts and minds, Iranian vocalist Mohammadreza Shajarian proclaimed in his message of condolence over the demise of Iranian santur virtuoso Parviz Meshkatian. Meshkatian died of heart failure at his home in Tehran on September 21. He was 54 years old. - 9/26/09
Iranian filmmakers hit out at Ahmadinejad
Several Iranian filmmakers Thursday used the San Sebastian film festival to condemn the Tehran regime and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech at the UN General Assembly. -AFP - 9/24/09
Iranian musicians lament great loss after passing of Meshkatian
Musicians and friends are lamenting their great loss after the death of Iranian santur virtuoso Parviz Meshkatian. Meshkatian died of heart failure at his home in Tehran on Monday, September 21. He was 54 years old. - 9/24/09
Iranian American Actress Shohreh Aghdashloo Wins The Emmy For Best Supporting Actress
Iranian American actress Shohreh Aghdashloo was named best supporting actress in a miniseries or movie for her role as the wife of Saddam Hussein in House of Saddam. "I cherish this more than you can possibly imagine. Thank you," Aghdashloo said. - 9/21/09
The Three Iranian Sopranos and Tehranosaurus in San Francisco
Nasrin Asgari, Shirin Asgari and Kamelia Dara have charmed and delighted audiences since they formed their group just over a year ago with pianist Hooman Khalatbari. Born in Iran, the singers met and became friends as students at the universities of music in Vienna and Graz, Austria. Their repertoire includes famous Persian folksongs as well as popular European Arias. - 9/21/09
Iran picks "About Elly" for Oscar
The Iranian Committee for Selecting a Film for the Academy Awards selected director Asghar Farhadi's "About Elly" to represent Iranian cinema in the category of Best Foreign Language Film at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards in 2010. The committee picked the movie for its solid structure, refined technique, and superb content, as well as its national and international success. - 9/21/09
No celebration at 13th Iran Cinema Celebration
The 13th Iran Cinema Celebration was held Friday night at Tehran's Esteqlal Hotel, with no competition and no winner announcement. The festival is held annually to celebrate Iran's National Cinema Day (Sep. 12) and is sponsored by the House of Cinema. However, this year's celebration was held on September 18 due to its coincidence with the holy month of Ramadan. - 9/21/09
Iranian filmmaker hits out at Tehran regime
Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof, forced to make his latest film "The White Meadows" under difficult conditions, used the San Sebastian film festival to lash out at the Tehran regime. -AFP - 9/20/09
15 Iranian filmmakers participate in APSA
Iranian filmmakers have introduced 15 films and documentaries to the Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2009. - 9/20/09
Iranian Classical Musical Ensemble Banned By The Iranian Government Brings Their Music To the U.S. and The World
The highly acclaimed and controversial Iranian musical masters, Homay and The Mastan Ensemble, come to New York City on September 19, 2009 at 8 p.m. to perform the latest compositions by Homay at Lincoln Center. - 9/16/09
IRIB doesn't produce any license to broadcast Shajarian's works
In late July, an interrogator of the Tehran public prosecutor's office ordered IRIB to present its license to broadcast works by Shajarian, who protested the extensive use of his songs used in programs celebrating Mahmoud Ahamadinejad's victory in the June 12 presidential election. - 9/16/09
Talks begin to determine Iranian representative for 2010 Oscars
Discussions began on Thursday by a Farabi Cinematic Foundation committee to determine the Iranian representative for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards for the Best Foreign Language Films category. - 9/16/09
Iranian-American Break Dancer Releases Documentary "Warring Factions" For Free
"Warring Factions" is 24-year-old Mashouf's first feature-length documentary. Filming began in April 2007, capturing his experiences as a multi-ethnic Iranian-American exploring his Muslim identity in a post-9/11 world. In the wake of rising international tensions, he is cornered into answering the question, "Where is your loyalty, America or Iran?" - 9/15/09
New Album from Mahsa Vahdat: "Scent of Reunion"
The new Album "Scent of Reunion" ( Love duets across civilications) will be released by Kirkelig Kulturverksted on September sung by Mahsa Vahdat from Iran and Mighty Sam Mcclain from US. One of the songs from the album (Silent song ) has been dedicated to all Nedas and Sohrabs in Iran - 9/14/09
Shirin Neshat Wins Best Director Award at Venice Film Festival
Thanking the jury for the award, she said this film has been a labor of love for six years. She said it is a film that speaks to the people of Iran fighting to find democracy and it speaks to the government of Iran. She added, "I plead to this government to give the people what they should have - basic human rights, freedom and democracy. Make peace with the people of Iran." - 9/13/09
Mysterious Gifts: Theatre of Iran in Seattle
Seattle Children's Theatre company has invited young Iranian puppeteer Yaser Khaseb to have three performances in the US. Khaseb, will take three of his shows on stage in Seattle for a month - 9/13/09
Tehran's Sangelaj to entertain theatergoers with "Hamlet with Season Salad"
Veteran stage director Hadi Marzban will stage Akbar Radi's "Hamlet with Season Salad" in mid October at the Sangelaj Theater Hall. - 9/12/09
Venice film festival gives voice to Iranian opposition
The Venice film festival is providing a timely forum for Iranian works such as Shirin Neshat's "Women Without Men" amid crackdowns on opposition groups disputing the June elections in their country. - AFP - 9/11/09
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