Iranian Filmmakers, Actresses Defy Regime In Aftermath of Protests
By Ahmad Rafat and Firouzeh Nordstrom
Since the start of the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement in 2022, Iranian cinema has entered a new phase unparalleled in the past four and a half decades. Independent filmmakers...
At Cannes Festival, Asghar Farhadi Urges Iran to Lift Panahi’s Travel Ban
By Tara Biglari
Asghar Farhadi's new movie "Everybody Knows” (Todos Lo Saben) opened the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday night, with Farhadi appearing on the red carpet alongside his actors, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.
At the film’s press conference the...
The Shah’s Dying Days: Interview with Filmmaker Bobak Kalhor
By Fred Parvaneh
"A Dying King” is a documentary by first-time filmmaker Bobak Kalhor that examines the untold medical story of the late Shah of Iran and the truth behind his death in July 1980.
The...
Documentary on Ukrainian Airliner Death, Directed by Mania Akbari, Screens in London
By Ahmad Rafat
The London-based Iranian filmmaker Mania Akbari has shot a documentary about Elnaz Nabiyi, one of the 167 passengers who died when Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air defense units shot down Ukrainian...
Iranian Director Rasoulof Likely To Attend His Cannes Festival Premiere
By Ahmad Rafat
Iranian Director Mohammad Rasoulof, who has left Iran secretly, will reportedly be on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of his latest film, “The Seed of The...
Halloween with a Persian Twist
By Fred Parvaneh
Halloween is a quintessentially American celebration – yet one that countless Iranians around the globe happily partake in.
Halloween relives the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in), which originated in Ireland, the...
Venice Festival May Screen Jafar Panahi’s Documentary on Iran Flood Victims
A documentary film by the award-winning Iranian director Jafar Panahi and the veteran actress Pouri Banayi on the plight of people in the southern flood-stricken provinces of Khuzestan and Lorestan could be screened at...
Iranian-Born Actor Arsi Nami Stars in Award-Winning Short Film
By Julie Ershadi
Abbas Kiarostami isn’t the only Iranian who received praise in Cannes this year. Arsalan (Arsi) Nami, an Iranian-born artist, music therapist, and actor, is the star of "Love is Blind," a short...
Banned Iranian Directors Are In Competition For Top Berlin Film Festival Prize
By Ahmad Rafat
A movie by two Iranian directors currently facing a travel ban is in competition for the top prize at the Berlin Film Festival, or Berlinale, which is due to be held from Feb....
Isabella Nefar Discusses Role in Upcoming ˋReading Lolita’ Movie, Alongside Farahani
By Katayoun Shahandeh
Isabella Nefar is an Iranian-Italian actor who spent her formative years in Iran before studying in Italy and later at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). She recently finished...
