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Tag Archives: Iranian film
You’ve Gotta Fight For Your Right To Party
Party (2000); Dir. Saman Moghaddam
Politics, journalism and love intersect in Iranian director Saman Moghaddam’s Party, a tense emotional thriller which could be seen as a companion piece to his earlier film Siavash. Siavash also deals with the politically explosive issue of the fallout of … Continue reading
Blackboards (2000); Dir. Samira Makhmalbaf
In the wild borderlands between Iran and Iraq, people are on the move. Kurds, who suffered under persecution on both sides of the border, still live a nomadic life, often out of necessity. There is no food, no place to … Continue reading
For the Third Time, Certified Copy
First time I saw it at Keith and Dan’s. Three of us watching it in a living room. Second time I saw it at a press screening with about 10 critics in attendance at 11 a.m. in the morning. Tonight … Continue reading
Posted in Movies
Tagged Abbas Kiarostami, Certified Copy, Iran, Iranian film, Juliette Binoche
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Thoughts on the Iranian Film Blogathon
Although I did my own little post-mortem here, Kevin Lee, the editor of Fandor, was kind enough to suggest that I share some more of my thoughts about the week of the Iranian Film Blogathon, and my own experience running … Continue reading
Review: Certified Copy may look like something you’ve seen before, but it isn’t
This review originally appeared on Capital New York. In Abbas Kiarostami’s Certified Copy, his first film shot outside of his native Iran, a middle-aged couple named James and, simply, “She” (William Shimell and Juliette Binoche) drive around the beautiful landscape … Continue reading
Posted in Movies
Tagged Abbas Kiarostami, Certified Copy, Iran, Iranian film, Juliette Binoche
6 Comments
“How Much Is Real, How Much Fake?”
In preparation for the release of Abbas Kiarostami’s Certified Copy this Friday, please check out this wonderful video essay on Fandor about Juliette Binoche (who won the Best Actress prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival for her portrayal of … Continue reading
Posted in Movies
Tagged Abbas Kiarostami, Certified Copy, Iran, Iranian film, Juliette Binoche
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Snapshots
— I am re-reading Jane Eyre (Penguin Classics). Just saw the movie tonight. It opens March 11th. Review to come next week. I shouldn’t say I am re-reading Jane Eyre. I am re-LIVING Jane Eyre. — My cat Hope has … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Personal
Tagged friends, Hope, Iranian film, Jafar Panahi, Jane Eyre, Offside, snapshots
19 Comments
Iranian Film Blogathon: A Brief Post-Mortem
I am blown away by the response to my last-minute Iranian Film Blogathon. 41 pieces written, all in all. A diversity of talent represented, with heavy-hitters such as Kiarostami and Panahi dominating, as is to be expected, but with a … Continue reading
February 21 – 27: Iranian Film Blogathon
**ANNOUNCEMENT** A good friend of mine died unexpectedly this week, on Wednesday. His wake is tomorrow, and the funeral is Monday, so I will not be available to receive any more Word docs from those of you out there who … Continue reading
Game Over: Black Tape: A Tehran Diary, the Videotape Fariborz Kamkari Found in the Garbage (2002) (by Kent Adamson)
Kent Adamson, who also wrote on Half Moon for the Iranian Film Blogathon shows there his strength of analysis as well as compassion when it comes to the Kurdish situation. When I found out his interest in the Kurds, I … Continue reading