Artist Nasser Ovissi Is Celebrated in New Film Premiering at Toronto
By Katty Biglari
Nasser Ovissi -- a prominent Iranian painter whose imagery is rooted in Persian iconography -- is the subject of a new movie directed by Alexander Kwanje titled "The Messenger of Joy." The...
Cannes Documentary ‘Rehearsals for a Revolution’ Uses Personal Lens to Chart Iran’s History
By Miranda Murray
CANNES, France, May 20 (Reuters) - For Iranian filmmaker Pegah Ahangarani, making her documentary "Rehearsals for a Revolution," which blends her personal history with that of her homeland since Iran's 1979 revolution, felt more like therapy...
Iran’s Asghar Farhadi Bends His Own Cinematic Rules in Cannes Entry ‘Parallel Tales’
By Francesca Halliwell
CANNES, France, May 14 (Reuters) - Two-time Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi allowed himself to go outside his cinema red lines and play with structure in his Paris-set drama "Parallel Tales," he told Reuters ahead...
At France’s Molière Awards, Playwright Aila Navidi Makes Stirring Speech on Iran
By Kayhan Life Staff
Aila Navidi — a French-Iranian playwright and director who in 2024 won a Molière, France’s most prestigious stage award — made a poignant speech about Iran at this year’s Molières ceremony.
Navidi...
At Venice Biennale, Ziba Ardalan to Exhibit Artists from Central Asia, Mideast in ‘Turandot’
By Nazanine Nouri
Ziba Ardalan, the founder of Parasol Unit -- a contemporary-art foundation that staged groundbreaking shows at its dedicated London space between 2004 and 2020 -- is returning to the Venice Art Biennale...
INTERVIEW: Siavosh Ejlali, Winner of Sony World Photography Award
By Katty Biglari
The Iranian photographer Siavosh Ejlali -- who lives and works in Karaj, Iran -- is one of the winners of this year's Sony World Photography Awards, a prestigious set of prizes that...
INTERVIEW: Remembering Iran’s National Ballet Company, Disbanded in 1979
By Katayoon Halajan
In its heyday, the Iranian National Ballet Company was an internationally recognized cultural institution. Active for 21 years, it attracted distinguished dancers and instructors from across the globe to develop ballet in...
Gallerist Nader Seyhoun Looks Back On A Lifelong Engagement With Art
By Katty Biglari
Masoumeh Seyhoun started the renowned Seyhoun gallery in her family home on Tehran's Shah Avenue back in 1966. It went on to be the longest-running art gallery in Iran. Now, her son...
Author Shida Bazyar Is Nominated for International Booker Prize; Winner Announced May 19
By Nazanine Nouri
Shida Bazyar -- a German novelist and essayist of Iranian descent who wrote “The Nights are Quiet in Tehran” (translated into English by Ruth Martin) -- has been shortlisted for the prestigious...
Iranians Celebrate Nowruz Amid Bombings; Mourn Victims of Crackdown
By Kayhan Life Staff
Tens of millions of Iranians living inside and outside the country are celebrating the Persian New Year (Nowruz) this weekend, ushering in year 1405 of the Persian calendar. Yet the festivities...
