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FACETS EXCLUSIVES: IRANIAN CINEMA A-M
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Mideast/Mid-Asian
BLACK MIRRORS: FOROUGH FARROKHZAD
Directed by Forough Farrokhzad/Nasser Saffarian, 1963/2000-2004
Forough Farrokhzad, Iran's most celebrated contemporary poet, became a legend in her own time for her innovative and controversial poetry. In this exclusive two-pack, Farrokhzad's only film, The House Is Black, is offered alongside Nasser Saffarian's The Mirror of the Soul, an extensive, three-part documentary on her life and work. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Forough Farrokhzad/Nasser Saffarian, 1963/2000-2004
Forough Farrokhzad, Iran's most celebrated contemporary poet, became a legend in her own time for her innovative and controversial poetry. In this exclusive two-pack, Farrokhzad's only film, The House Is Black, is offered alongside Nasser Saffarian's The Mirror of the Soul, an extensive, three-part documentary on her life and work. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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BORN UNDER LIBRA
Directed by Ahmad Reza Darvish, 2000
Born Under Libra made headlines in Iran when the film's director was kidnapped by arch-conservatives and left to die in the desert. (He was later rescued.) In a plot familiar to both the cinema and daily life in Iran, young people struggle to reconcile progressive attitudes with strict religious traditions of an older generation. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Ahmad Reza Darvish, 2000
Born Under Libra made headlines in Iran when the film's director was kidnapped by arch-conservatives and left to die in the desert. (He was later rescued.) In a plot familiar to both the cinema and daily life in Iran, young people struggle to reconcile progressive attitudes with strict religious traditions of an older generation. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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BOUTIQUE
Directed by Hamid Nematollah, 2004
A gentle, thoughtful young man, Johan, works as a window dresser at a fashionable boutique. Johan is stirred to action by his compassion and infatuation for Etti, a poor, beautiful 17-year-old girl who enters his store one day. He steals a pair of blue jeans for her from the store, which sets off a chain of actions that causes him to spiral downward. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Hamid Nematollah, 2004
A gentle, thoughtful young man, Johan, works as a window dresser at a fashionable boutique. Johan is stirred to action by his compassion and infatuation for Etti, a poor, beautiful 17-year-old girl who enters his store one day. He steals a pair of blue jeans for her from the store, which sets off a chain of actions that causes him to spiral downward. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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CAFÉ SETAREH
Directed by Saman Moghadam, 2005
Three women who live in a poor neighborhood in Tehran actively seek a better life in this contemporary slice of Iranian life. Café Setareh focuses on Fariba, Saloomeh, and Moluk in a triptych of warm-hearted, interwoven stories. In Persian with English subtitles.
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Directed by Saman Moghadam, 2005
Three women who live in a poor neighborhood in Tehran actively seek a better life in this contemporary slice of Iranian life. Café Setareh focuses on Fariba, Saloomeh, and Moluk in a triptych of warm-hearted, interwoven stories. In Persian with English subtitles.
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CEASE FIRE
Directed by Tahmineh Milani, 2006
From Tahmineh Milani (Two Women), Iran's leading female director, comes this irreverent romantic comedy with saucy dialogue and a pointed insight into modern marriage. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Tahmineh Milani, 2006
From Tahmineh Milani (Two Women), Iran's leading female director, comes this irreverent romantic comedy with saucy dialogue and a pointed insight into modern marriage. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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CHARLATAN
Directed by Arash Moayerian, 2004
One of Iran's hottest young filmmakers, actor-director Arash Moayerian, spins a bittersweet tale of romance in this delightful comedy about two young couples whose lives and dreams are intertwined after a fateful close encounter. Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Arash Moayerian, 2004
One of Iran's hottest young filmmakers, actor-director Arash Moayerian, spins a bittersweet tale of romance in this delightful comedy about two young couples whose lives and dreams are intertwined after a fateful close encounter. Farsi with English subtitles.
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CORRUPTED HANDS
Directed by Syrus Alvand, 2000
Marriage is supposed to make people happy, but for two men it's both profitable and criminal in this heist comedy from Iran. The film follows Siamak, a wedding photographer who plans to rob his next ceremony he works with the help of his sister Diba and his brother Nader. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Syrus Alvand, 2000
Marriage is supposed to make people happy, but for two men it's both profitable and criminal in this heist comedy from Iran. The film follows Siamak, a wedding photographer who plans to rob his next ceremony he works with the help of his sister Diba and his brother Nader. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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THE CYCLE
Directed by Dariush Mehrjui, 1978
Ali struggles to care for his invalid father after moving him to a Tehran hospital. With few opportunities to make money, he sells his blood on the black market of dealers who buy and sell the much-needed substance inside the hospitals. Tired of being exploited, Ali decides to join the illegal trafficking of products, rising to the top of the black market. The Cycle was Dariush Mehrjui's modern-day classic about the impact of social and political corruption, helped launch the Iranian New Wave. Produced under the Shah of Iran's regime, The Cycle was banned for several years for its harsh, cynical depiction of life among the poverty-stricken areas of Iran. In Persian with English subtitles.
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Directed by Dariush Mehrjui, 1978
Ali struggles to care for his invalid father after moving him to a Tehran hospital. With few opportunities to make money, he sells his blood on the black market of dealers who buy and sell the much-needed substance inside the hospitals. Tired of being exploited, Ali decides to join the illegal trafficking of products, rising to the top of the black market. The Cycle was Dariush Mehrjui's modern-day classic about the impact of social and political corruption, helped launch the Iranian New Wave. Produced under the Shah of Iran's regime, The Cycle was banned for several years for its harsh, cynical depiction of life among the poverty-stricken areas of Iran. In Persian with English subtitles.
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THE CYCLIST
Directed by Mohsen Makhmalbaf, 1989
An Afghan refugee desperately in need of money undertakes a bicycle marathon at the suggestion of a sleazy promoter, who uses the refugee's suffering for his own profit. Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Mohsen Makhmalbaf, 1989
An Afghan refugee desperately in need of money undertakes a bicycle marathon at the suggestion of a sleazy promoter, who uses the refugee's suffering for his own profit. Farsi with English subtitles.
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DAUGHTERS OF THE SUN
Directed by Mariam Shahriar, 2000
A film in the spirit of The Circle, The Day I Became a Woman, and other recent films about women from the increasingly bold and controversial Iranian cinema. It follows a young woman who disguises herself as a boy so that she can work long, hard hours in a carpet workshop to support her family. Her secret is complicated when a female co-worker falls in love with her. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Mariam Shahriar, 2000
A film in the spirit of The Circle, The Day I Became a Woman, and other recent films about women from the increasingly bold and controversial Iranian cinema. It follows a young woman who disguises herself as a boy so that she can work long, hard hours in a carpet workshop to support her family. Her secret is complicated when a female co-worker falls in love with her. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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DELBARAN
Directed by Abolfazl Jalili, 2001
Acclaimed director Abolfazl Jalili offers a compassionate story of a young Afghan refugee who lives illegally in Iran. Young Kaim drifts to the Delbaran crossing on the Afghan-Iran border, where he finds work at a coffee shop frequented by truck drivers. He feels at home in this small oasis of friendliness, though the sounds of war can be heard in the background, violent bandits prowl the roads, and opium is everywhere. In Persian with English subtitles.
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Directed by Abolfazl Jalili, 2001
Acclaimed director Abolfazl Jalili offers a compassionate story of a young Afghan refugee who lives illegally in Iran. Young Kaim drifts to the Delbaran crossing on the Afghan-Iran border, where he finds work at a coffee shop frequented by truck drivers. He feels at home in this small oasis of friendliness, though the sounds of war can be heard in the background, violent bandits prowl the roads, and opium is everywhere. In Persian with English subtitles.
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DONYA
Directed by Manouchehr Mosayeri, 2003
In this breezy domestic comedy, Donya (Hediyeh Tehrani) returns from America to discover that it is not easy to find a place to live in modern-day Tehran. Eventually, she hires Haji (Mohammad Reza Sharifinia), the owner of a realty company, to help her out. Though a traditional conservative and much older than Donya, Haji's attractions to Donya prompt him to do things he might not ordinarily do, including updating his clothing style, cutting his hair, and sending his wife and family on a vacation to get them out of the way. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Manouchehr Mosayeri, 2003
In this breezy domestic comedy, Donya (Hediyeh Tehrani) returns from America to discover that it is not easy to find a place to live in modern-day Tehran. Eventually, she hires Haji (Mohammad Reza Sharifinia), the owner of a realty company, to help her out. Though a traditional conservative and much older than Donya, Haji's attractions to Donya prompt him to do things he might not ordinarily do, including updating his clothing style, cutting his hair, and sending his wife and family on a vacation to get them out of the way. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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DRESS REHEARSAL: THE BRAVE HURR'S TA'ZIEH
Directed by Nasser Taghvai, 2005
From Nasser Taghvai (Tales of Kish), one of the original filmmakers of the Iranian New Wave, comes his latest documentary. This rare glimpse into Iranian culture chronicles the performance of a ta'zieh, an ancient and uniquely Iranian passion play that celebrates the glory of martyrdom for the sake of justice. In Persian with English subtitles.
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Directed by Nasser Taghvai, 2005
From Nasser Taghvai (Tales of Kish), one of the original filmmakers of the Iranian New Wave, comes his latest documentary. This rare glimpse into Iranian culture chronicles the performance of a ta'zieh, an ancient and uniquely Iranian passion play that celebrates the glory of martyrdom for the sake of justice. In Persian with English subtitles.
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A FEW KILOS OF DATES FOR A FUNERAL
Directed by Saman Salur, 2006
Sadry and his new assistant struggle to eke out a living with their gas station. With few customers and little in common, they spend most of their time alone except for occasional visits by the local postman. Despite their apparent loneliness, each of the three men dream of romance and are driven to pursue impossible relationships. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Saman Salur, 2006
Sadry and his new assistant struggle to eke out a living with their gas station. With few customers and little in common, they spend most of their time alone except for occasional visits by the local postman. Despite their apparent loneliness, each of the three men dream of romance and are driven to pursue impossible relationships. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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THE FIFTH REACTION
Directed by Tahmineh Milani, 2003
A progressive, recently widowed teacher and her conservative, controlling father-in-law fight for custody of her two small children. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Tahmineh Milani, 2003
A progressive, recently widowed teacher and her conservative, controlling father-in-law fight for custody of her two small children. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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FIREWORKS WEDNESDAY
Directed by Asghar Farhadi, 2006
All of Tehran is preparing to celebrate the traditional New Year with the festival of fire (“Fireworks Wednesday”). On this auspicious evening, a young woman named Rouhi is employed by a young couple to clean their house. Sweet and naive, Rouhi is engaged to be married, but her innocence is shattered when she finds her employers' household in crisis over accusations of infidelity. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Asghar Farhadi, 2006
All of Tehran is preparing to celebrate the traditional New Year with the festival of fire (“Fireworks Wednesday”). On this auspicious evening, a young woman named Rouhi is employed by a young couple to clean their house. Sweet and naive, Rouhi is engaged to be married, but her innocence is shattered when she finds her employers' household in crisis over accusations of infidelity. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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FRIDAY'S SOLDIERS
Directed by Massoud Kimiai, 2004
One of the major filmmakers of Iran's New Wave, Massoud Kimiai directs this haunting drama about four soldiers who come to Tehran on leave. Accompanied by their commanding officer, the soldiers experience life-changing adventures that reveal the sights and sounds of modern-day Tehran. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Massoud Kimiai, 2004
One of the major filmmakers of Iran's New Wave, Massoud Kimiai directs this haunting drama about four soldiers who come to Tehran on leave. Accompanied by their commanding officer, the soldiers experience life-changing adventures that reveal the sights and sounds of modern-day Tehran. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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THE GIRL IN THE SNEAKERS
Directed by Rassul Sadr-Ameli, 1999
The love between two Iranian teens sparks opposition from their parents and strict Islamic law in this snapshot of first love and youthful rebellion. Forbidden by her parents to ever see her boyfriend Aideen again, young Tadaie runs away from home to find him, thus beginning a fascinating journey though the streets of Tehran. "Poetic" (Variety). In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Rassul Sadr-Ameli, 1999
The love between two Iranian teens sparks opposition from their parents and strict Islamic law in this snapshot of first love and youthful rebellion. Forbidden by her parents to ever see her boyfriend Aideen again, young Tadaie runs away from home to find him, thus beginning a fascinating journey though the streets of Tehran. "Poetic" (Variety). In Farsi with English subtitles.
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GOING BY
Directed by Iraj Karimi, 2001
Four carloads of people take the main road from Tehran to northern Iraq, each for different reasons. The characters do not know each other, and their final destinations differ, but their conversations about life and death have much in common. Director/critic Iraj Karimi successfully adds a metaphorical dimension to the conventions of the road film. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Iraj Karimi, 2001
Four carloads of people take the main road from Tehran to northern Iraq, each for different reasons. The characters do not know each other, and their final destinations differ, but their conversations about life and death have much in common. Director/critic Iraj Karimi successfully adds a metaphorical dimension to the conventions of the road film. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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HEMLOCK
Directed by Behrooz Afkhami, 2000
A tale of "temporary marriage" -- a ritual in Islamic countries -- this box-office hit from Iran offers insight into that country's contemporary attitude toward relationships and marriage. In Persian with English subtitles.
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Directed by Behrooz Afkhami, 2000
A tale of "temporary marriage" -- a ritual in Islamic countries -- this box-office hit from Iran offers insight into that country's contemporary attitude toward relationships and marriage. In Persian with English subtitles.
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THE HIDDEN HALF
Directed by Tahmineh Milani, 2001
An explosive film that touched a nerve in modern Iran. A woman tells of her repression as a leftist - and as a woman - in post-1979 Iran. Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Tahmineh Milani, 2001
An explosive film that touched a nerve in modern Iran. A woman tells of her repression as a leftist - and as a woman - in post-1979 Iran. Farsi with English subtitles.
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THE HOUSE IS BLACK
Directed by Forough Farrokhzad, 1962
This haunting film about the leprosy colony in Tabriz, Iran, is a compassionate portrait of forgotten people. Also included are Mohsen Makhmalbaf's The School That Was Blown Away and Images From the Qajar Dynasty. Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Forough Farrokhzad, 1962
This haunting film about the leprosy colony in Tabriz, Iran, is a compassionate portrait of forgotten people. Also included are Mohsen Makhmalbaf's The School That Was Blown Away and Images From the Qajar Dynasty. Farsi with English subtitles.
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IRAN: THE HUNDRED YEAR WAR
Directed by Jean-Michel Vecchiet, 2008
Iran remains a controversial nation constantly in the headlines, because of its nuclear ambitions and its desire to become a world power. Iran: The Hundred Year War poses the question: What kind of world power is Iran becoming, and how will Western countries contend with it? In English, French, or German.
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Directed by Jean-Michel Vecchiet, 2008
Iran remains a controversial nation constantly in the headlines, because of its nuclear ambitions and its desire to become a world power. Iran: The Hundred Year War poses the question: What kind of world power is Iran becoming, and how will Western countries contend with it? In English, French, or German.
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IT'S WINTER
Directed by Rafi Pitts, 2006
A year in the lives of three residents of Tehran working to build better futures shape this compelling story of love and life. The year begins with the struggles of Mokhtar and his wife Khatoun, who barely scratch out a living on the outskirts of the city. Mokhtar goes in search of opportunities outside Iran, and then fails to return. Marhab, a heavy-machinery mechanic, spots Khatoun in the neighborhood and tries to win her affections. The year clicks by as misfortune, fate, and tragedy befall their everyday lives. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Rafi Pitts, 2006
A year in the lives of three residents of Tehran working to build better futures shape this compelling story of love and life. The year begins with the struggles of Mokhtar and his wife Khatoun, who barely scratch out a living on the outskirts of the city. Mokhtar goes in search of opportunities outside Iran, and then fails to return. Marhab, a heavy-machinery mechanic, spots Khatoun in the neighborhood and tries to win her affections. The year clicks by as misfortune, fate, and tragedy befall their everyday lives. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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THE LAST SUPPER
Directed by Fereydoun Jeyrani, 2002
In this searing domestic drama about a very unique love triangle, a professor of architecture history divorces her husband after 26 years of marriage. She returns to the house of her father, along with her supportive daughter, to begin life anew. A fascinating tale of love and revenge and an exciting new voice from the contemporary Iranian cinema. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Fereydoun Jeyrani, 2002
In this searing domestic drama about a very unique love triangle, a professor of architecture history divorces her husband after 26 years of marriage. She returns to the house of her father, along with her supportive daughter, to begin life anew. A fascinating tale of love and revenge and an exciting new voice from the contemporary Iranian cinema. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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LETTERS IN THE WIND
Directed by Ali-Reza Amini, 2002
A young man, in military service at a camp near Teheran,has smuggled a tiny tape recorder into the barracks and listens to the voice of a woman, sometimes allowing his buddies to listen. The tape recorder is their lifeline to a more cheerful world outside their misery of their military life. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Ali-Reza Amini, 2002
A young man, in military service at a camp near Teheran,has smuggled a tiny tape recorder into the barracks and listens to the voice of a woman, sometimes allowing his buddies to listen. The tape recorder is their lifeline to a more cheerful world outside their misery of their military life. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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LOW HEIGHTS
Directed by Egrahim Hatamikia, 2002
Based on a true story, Low Heights is an action film filled with dark humor. Ghassem (Hamid Farrokhnezhad) is a man at his wit's end and desperate to get his family out of Iran. Along with his pregnant wife, he hijacks a plane, but undercover officers onboard the flight will not let the hijacking go smoothly. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Egrahim Hatamikia, 2002
Based on a true story, Low Heights is an action film filled with dark humor. Ghassem (Hamid Farrokhnezhad) is a man at his wit's end and desperate to get his family out of Iran. Along with his pregnant wife, he hijacks a plane, but undercover officers onboard the flight will not let the hijacking go smoothly. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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MAXX
Directed by Saman Moghadam, 2005
In this hilarious tale of mistaken identity, Maxx, a rapper in a Los Angeles nightclub, receives an invitation to participate in a musical festival in Tehran. Upon arriving in Iran, Maxx is astounded by the warm welcome and at the many invitations to important cultural events. Little does he know that his invitation was originally intended for a prominent symphony conductor with a similar name. In Persian with English subtitles.
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Directed by Saman Moghadam, 2005
In this hilarious tale of mistaken identity, Maxx, a rapper in a Los Angeles nightclub, receives an invitation to participate in a musical festival in Tehran. Upon arriving in Iran, Maxx is astounded by the warm welcome and at the many invitations to important cultural events. Little does he know that his invitation was originally intended for a prominent symphony conductor with a similar name. In Persian with English subtitles.
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THE MAY LADY
Directed by Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, 1998
A divorced, Iranian woman confronts the contradictory desires affecting her life and work in this bold examination of the universal tensions between motherhood, womanhood and professional life. "Strong and heartfelt" (L.A. Weekly). In Farsi with English subtitles.
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Directed by Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, 1998
A divorced, Iranian woman confronts the contradictory desires affecting her life and work in this bold examination of the universal tensions between motherhood, womanhood and professional life. "Strong and heartfelt" (L.A. Weekly). In Farsi with English subtitles.
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THE MIRROR OF THE SOUL:
The Forough Farrokhzad Trilogy
Directed by Nasser Saffarian, 2000-2004
Forough Farrokhzad, Iran's most celebrated contemporary poet became a legend in her own time for her innovative and controversial poetry. In this extensive, three-part documentary, Farrokhzad's life, work, and very soul are laid bare so the world can discover this remarkable artist. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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The Forough Farrokhzad Trilogy
Directed by Nasser Saffarian, 2000-2004
Forough Farrokhzad, Iran's most celebrated contemporary poet became a legend in her own time for her innovative and controversial poetry. In this extensive, three-part documentary, Farrokhzad's life, work, and very soul are laid bare so the world can discover this remarkable artist. In Farsi with English subtitles.
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