ARTS & CULTURE BEAT
By MASA ZOKAEI
AND THE OSCAR GOES TO…IRAN!
Asghar Farhadi made Iranians around the world proud last week when he was awarded the Oscar for his film “A SEPARATION” in the Foreign Language category.
In the film, LEILA HATAMI and PEYMAN MOADI are a married couple who disagree about whether to raise their child in Iran or leave for another country.
A Separation was also nominated in the Best Screenplay category but lost out to WOODY ALLEN‘s “Midnight in Paris”.
In his Oscar acceptance speech Farhadi said, “At this time, many Iranians all over the world are watching us and I imagine them to be very happy. They are happy not just because of an important award or a film or filmmaker, but because at the time when talk of war, intimidation, and aggression is exchanged between politicians, the name of their country Iran is spoken here through her glorious culture, a rich and ancient culture that has been hidden under the heavy dust of politics.”
THIS IS NOT A FILM
JAFAR PANAHI and MOTJABA MIRTAHMASB’s “THIS IS NOT A FILM” opens for a two-week run at Film Forum in New York this week.
After his arrest in 2010, Panahi was banned from filmmaking for 20 years and sentenced to six years in prison by the Iranian authorities in Iran.
This 75-minute video essay was shot entirely on the grounds of his Tehran apartment with his friend Mirtahmasb, on a cellphone and a small digital video camera. Currently under house arrest, Panahi lives with his wife and daughter in Tehran.
www.filmforum.org for screening times.
EVENTS
[NEW ORLEANS] International Scholarship Banquet celebrates Iranian New Year
The Center for International Education and the International Student Association at Loyola University New Orleans will celebrate the Iranian New Year, Nowruz, at the 10th annual International Student Scholarship Banquet on Friday, March 9 at 6:00 p.m/ The scholarship banquet is an annual fundraiser for international students on F-1 visas who are ineligible for need-based, federal financial aid and most types of scholarships. This year’s event’s theme is “Iran, Middle East and Peace”.
Center for International Education at 504-864-7550 or email at[email protected] for info
[VERMONT] Persian Visions: Contemporary Photography from Iran
PERSIAN VISIONS introduces nearly 60 works of photography and video by 20 of Iran’s most celebrated photographers. The perspective of these artists contradicts that of many foreign photographers use of the medium – which is to represent Iran and its people as purely exotic. In expressing different visions of their world, the artists offer a glimpse into both private and public realms. This exhibition builds a visual bridge between Iran and the United States as it leads viewers to become aware of other ways of being and seeing.
A complementary photography exhibition in the adjacent gallery, IMAGINING THE ISLAMIC WORLD, provides a visual counterpoint to the contemporary photographs on view in this exhibition.
Through May 20. Visit uvm.edu/~fleming or call 802-656-2090 for info.
[LOS ANGELES] Shahs of Sunset Premiere
Developed by AMERICAN IDOL host RYAN SEACREST, SHAHS OF SUNSET follows a group of young Iranians who are trying to juggle their active social lives and up-and-coming careers while balancing the demands of their families and traditions.
One cast member really manages to stand out, Iran born and Europe-raised ASA SOLTAN RAHMATI who uploads her music videos on YouTube. One of her hits, “FessenJoon,” refers to a famous Persian stew made from pomegranate syrup and walnuts.
Other cast members include: Mercedes “MJ” Javid, Reza Farahan, Sammy Younai, Mike Shouhed, and Golnesa “GG” Gharachedadhi.
Shahs of Sunset premieres March 11 on Bravo.
[SAN FRANCISCO]
[WESTLAKE VILLAGE] Social Network Art Competition Exhibition
The top 30 winners of the SOCIAL NETWORK ART COMPETITION FOR IRANIAN ARTISTS will be on display at the ABRA GALLERY in Westlake Village, Calif., with a reception on March 10 and at ART PEOPLE GALLERY in San Francisco, Calif. on March 24.
RSVP for Westlake Village event (818) 889-2000. For info on the San Francisco event (415) 956-3650