Tag Archives: Iran

R.I.P. Dariush Mehrjui

In the sweepstakes for the title the Most Interesting and Accomplished Filmmaker the United States Has Never Heard Of, Dariush Mehrjui has certain obvious advantages. While still in his twenties, the Iranian director made ‘The Cow’ (1969), a film so … Continue reading

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Jafar Panahi at the airport??!! What a moment to celebrate.

Jafar Panahi and his wife Tahereh Saeedi. At the airport. Leaving Iran. I repeat: JAFAR PANAHI IS LEAVING IRAN. I can’t believe this day has come. I am almost afraid to believe it. Like it’s a trap. Jafar Panahi’s wife, … Continue reading

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Solidarity

Walking through the West Village on an Arctic blast of a morning … … there were more, but it was too cold to stop and take pics of all of the visible manifestations of solidarity. Speaking of solidarity, the NY … Continue reading

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Jafar Panahi out on bail

It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours. Yesterday Jafar Panahi announced, via open letter, that he was going on hunger strike to protest his imprisonment. The announcement was completely devastating for those of us who have been EXTREMELY concerned about him … Continue reading

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NYFCC: Special award for Jafar Panahi

This year, we at NYFCC gave out three special awards, one to Jake Perlin, curator, distributor and publisher in recognition of his indispensable contributions to film culture, one to dGenerate Films for its invaluable work bringing independent films to China, … Continue reading

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“I will stand with the families of the prisoners and murdered and demand their rights.” — Taraneh Alidoosti

Taraneh Alidoosti, one of the most famous actresses in Iran, has been arrested. Nobody knows where she is. [UPDATE: It’s been confirmed by her father that she’s in Evin Prison. Where they put “political” prisoners. Where they put Jafar Panahi. … Continue reading

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NYFCC 2022 Awards

If you’ve been reading entertainment news then you already know: Yesterday, all the members of the NYFCC met up at Lincoln Center to vote on this year’s awards. It was so good to see people – friends I rarely get … Continue reading

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November 2022 Viewing Diary

Something in the Dirt (2022; d. Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson) I really liked this. If you like losing yourself in conspiracy theories – without being, like, a QAnon-type ready to shoot up a pizza parlor – then this is super … Continue reading

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You said it, sister

Holy Spider (2022: d. Ali Abbasi) Been really looking forward to this one, and it did not disappoint. It’s about Saeed Hanaei, the notorious Iranian serial killer who killed prostitutes in the holy city of Mashhad. Yeah, not so holy, … Continue reading

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“I hope a day will come when I can make a film, and attend your festival with it.” — Jafar Panahi to the Miami Film Festival

Today, the Miami Film Festival presented a Precious Gem Award to Jafar Panahi, the currently imprisoned Iranian director, and one of my all-time favorites. In 2010, he was banned from making films, and yet he has continued to make films … Continue reading

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