A Taste of Iran

New BBC documentary

BBC’s Iranian Expert Sadeq Saba travels around his home country meeting its people and exploring the culinary history and culture of the different regions. A Taste of Iran will be a journey of discovery of a land and its culture through its cuisine. In a series of four documentaries BBC’s Iran expert Sadeq Saba will guide the audience through different regions of Iran as he explores the culinary history and culture of Iranians.

Part 1:


Part 2:



Part 3:



Part 4:



Part 5:

from Mehrdad
16-Feb-2009
Miscellaneous | Photos
Balatarin
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Helen Mitcham

A Taste of Iran

by Helen Mitcham on Wed Feb 03, 2010 05:11 PM PST

So good to get a programme on Iran about the country, its people and their food instead of politics! i want to visit even more now, but, as a single woman who refers to travel alone, i don't feel brave enough. Should I dare?


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Siyavash

Mr Nodnolku, Azaris are Turkic Speaking Iranians - not Turks!

by Siyavash on Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:04 PM PDT

Mr Nodnolku

South-Azerbaijan exists only in the minds of pan-Turkists and some misled Arranis. 

There is only one Azarbaijan (not Azerbaijan) and that is in Iran.  The country that is today known as the Republic of Azerbaijan historically was known as Arran. Its name was changed by Stalin to lay his hands on Azarbaijan Province of Iran.  

As for as the documentary concerns, its creator i.e. Mr Sadeq Saba never claimed that he was covering all Iran, but a straight line connecting Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf.    

Nonetheless, if anyone should complain as to why Azari dishes were not included in the programme, it should be an Iranian, Azari or otherwise - and not a Turk. The spelling of the name of "Zanjan" which you have written "Zencan" has gave you away! 

As far as the Aradabil carpet concerns, it was woven by Maqsud Kashani, who was from Kashan, and it is adorned with a Persian couplet from the 65th gazelle of Hafez (I have no other shelter but yours, except for your doors there is no other roof but for this home where I can lay my head).

 So, next time do your research before …. !

 


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Nejad

saving the documentry

by Nejad on Wed Oct 14, 2009 04:06 AM PDT

I try to save it but it seems that BBC doesn't allow it. By which I mean iPlayer will delete it automatically after a set time.

I like to hear if there is a way to save it 


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Nejad

some of the comments on: Taste of Iran

by Nejad on Wed Oct 14, 2009 04:02 AM PDT

Do I detect a hint of jealousy in here.

It was a very good effort for an hour and half, time available. Maybe it wasn't 100% accurate in historical facts by few years but it was damn better that what the critics have produced, which is absolutely nothing.

So next time before slagging off others think what you've done yourself!  

I am sure everybody is eager to see your better and more accurate work! 

 


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nodnolku

AZERI -TURKS -WHERE ARE THEY IN THAT DOCUMENTARY ?

by nodnolku on Sun Oct 11, 2009 09:35 PM PDT

MORE THEN 1/4 OF THE IRANIAN POPULATION  ARE AZERI-TURKISH  .

THEY WERE NOT MENTIONED AT ALL  IN THAT  PROGRAM  .

WHY , I WONDER !

TABRIZ  ARDEBIL ZENCAN -SOUTH AZERBAYJAN  DO THEY NOT EXIST IN IRAN . I MA SURE THAT GUY HAS VISITED  V&A MUSEUM IN  LONDON BEING A BBC REPORTER   AND HAD SEEN   THE WORLD FAMOUSE ARDEBIL CARPET ,AND HE MUST HAVE HEARD OF TARBRIZ  OR MAY BE NOT ..........

TRULY SUPERFICIAL  WORK 

 

 


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Siyavash

Poorly Researched Documentary!

by Siyavash on Sun Oct 11, 2009 06:03 PM PDT


Mr Sadeq Saba. You should have carried out a research prior to creation of your documentary. Here is a few mistakes that you made: 

1. Date of Zoroastrian religion is nearly 1500 BC and not 500 BC.

2. Qanat or Kariz system is over 3500 years old and connected to the first migration of Iranian tribes into the Iranian plateau and not 1000 years ago as he misinforms.

3. The official language of Iran is English known as "Persian" and not "Farsi".

This is the difference between Iranian or European documentary makers! An European carries his or her research in depth by spends days of months in libraries or consults the experts in the field - and Iranians ask their mother for the information!

The sad thing is  that you supposedly to be an educated Iranian (Ph.D from LSE) and it expected more from the director of BBC Persian TV ! Imagine what a misinformation you feed BBC PErsian poor Iranian viewers!

BBC May need to hire an expert in Iranian Studies to assist people like you in making accurate documentaries.  


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Siyavash

Very poorly researched documentary!

by Siyavash on Sun Oct 11, 2009 05:54 PM PDT

 

The presenter, Sadeq Saba should have carried out a research prior to creation of his documentary. Here is a few mistakes that he made: 

1. Date of Zoroastrian religion is nearly 1500 BC and not 500 BC.

2. Qanat or Kariz system is over 3500 years old and connected to the first migration of Iranian tribes into the Iranian plateau and not 1000 years ago as he misinforms.

3. The official language of Iran is English known as "Persian" and not "Farsi".

This is the difference between Iranian or European documentary makers! An European carries his or her research in depth by spends days of months in libraries or consults the experts in the field - and Iranians ask their mother for the information!

The sad thing is  that he supposedly to be an educated Iranian (has a Ph.D from LSE) and is the director of BBC Persian TV! Imagine what a misinformation and nonsenses he feeds poor Iranian viewers!  

 


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New videos

by Hadi ragh (not verified) on Sun Mar 08, 2009 06:06 PM PDT


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hi, is there more episodes

by Anonymous22 (not verified) on Wed Feb 25, 2009 07:52 AM PST

hi,

is there more episodes to come? i couldn't find anything else on the web.

it's an amazing documentray thanks a lot for sharing it.

Best regards,


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Simply Wonderful

by Joe (not verified) on Mon Feb 23, 2009 03:57 AM PST

I fell in love with Iran after I have seen this video.
I want to thank you Saba. This is one of the best documentaries that I ever seen.

Thank you Mehrdad,
please could you post the other parts? Everyone is waiting.


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Thank you very much for this job !

by A friend of Iran (not verified) on Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:47 AM PST

wonderful ! congradulations dear Mehrdad !I am saving the whole fascinating documentary to my computer to watch it every time
Thanks :)...


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music in taste of iran

by Rahul (not verified) on Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:31 AM PST

I really love the show.. Just wanted to know if anyone can tell me more about the music that was used in the documentary.


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I am polish and i have the

by irena zera (not verified) on Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:11 AM PST

I am polish and i have the persian boss, he has told me a lot about the Iran and now I can see that Iran is a country so beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!
ghorbane shoma , Irena


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Thank you!

by Samane (not verified) on Fri Feb 20, 2009 04:15 AM PST

It was really stunning!! Took me back to home country, miss it now!


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Wonderful documentary.  I

by Sid Sarshar on Wed Feb 18, 2009 08:35 PM PST

Wonderful documentary.  I enjoyed your style and enthusiasm on this peace.  Your passion for “VATAN” (home) came through.  I also liked the balance of present and past.

Sid Sarshar.


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Thank you

by Sadeq Saba (not verified) on Wed Feb 18, 2009 09:46 AM PST

Thank you very much for the kind comments about "A Taste of Iran" series. It seems that a lot of people liked it and that's really gratifying.

The Gilan film was the top-rated film of the week among BBC World News channel viewers across the world with a high score of 88 percent.

The third film in the series is about Shiraz and it goes on air on Saturday 21st February (0810 and 1810 GMT) and Sunday 22nd February (0210 and 1410GMT). And the last film in the series is about the South and the Persian Gulf Islands and it goes on air on Saturday 28th Feb (0810 and 1810 GMT) and on Sunday 1st March (0210 and 1410 GMT).

By the way can people in U.S. watch the BBC World News channel? If you do I hope you enjoy the next two programmes.

Sadeq Saba
BBC World Service


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Majid

HOME!

by Majid on Tue Feb 17, 2009 02:05 PM PST

Simply wonderful.

Took me back home, Thanks


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khaleh mosheh

Thanks for posting Dear Mehrdad

by khaleh mosheh on Tue Feb 17, 2009 01:14 PM PST

This intersting programme.

I am sure the other episodes will be as good-look forward to seeing them also if available 


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Jaleho

Wow Mehrdad, thanks a million!

by Jaleho on Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:56 AM PST

Such a fantastic program. Bring them on, please!


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An attempt to be like Anthony Bourdain

by farrad02 on Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:00 AM PST

The production is a bit bland!  It needed to be jazzed up a bit with better music and side activities, in addition to the food. But I guess in order to get it approved by Iran's censors, it couldn't be about anything but the food!

Congratulations at any rate.


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پیام

مازیار بهاری

پیام
Tue Feb 17, 2009 09:10 AM PST

مازیار بهاری فیلمسز جوان ایرنی مقیم لندن تهیه کننده این سری هست. این سری چند قسمت هست و از bbc world پخش می‌شه.


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varjavand

Agha Mehran;

by varjavand on Tue Feb 17, 2009 08:09 AM PST

Agha Mehran:

 

A nice informative piece, I have two questions for you:

1. do you have the remaining paert? If yes, do you plan to post them?

2. I would like to show this documentary at our NoRouz party. Do you know if I can save the parts already posted on my USB flash drive?

 

Thanks, Varjavand

 

 


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Maryam Hojjat

Thanks!

by Maryam Hojjat on Tue Feb 17, 2009 04:23 AM PST

I really enjoyed this video. It was wonderful to see north Iran's culture.  I love IRAN & IRANIANS.

Payandeh IRAN 


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I really enjoyed this

by Zee (not verified) on Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:39 AM PST

I really enjoyed this program. Down to earth, very true and informative at the same time. You know what-- FOOD always does it... it brings people together.


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Beautiful Iran

by Nader Khan (not verified) on Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:12 AM PST

Mr Saba
Thank you so much for a great report.
Thank you JJ for Iranian.com .


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Zan Amrikai

Great Program

by Zan Amrikai on Mon Feb 16, 2009 08:04 PM PST

What a wonderful program to have available; too bad American TV doesn't do something this grand as well.  Kheili khosham omad.  Thank you for putting this up on the site!


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I loved this documentary

by Toofantheoncesogreat (not verified) on Mon Feb 16, 2009 05:53 PM PST

And I love Iran.


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Interesting doc.

by Ajam (not verified) on Mon Feb 16, 2009 05:50 PM PST

I used to listen to his commentaries on BBC. He always sounded so formal that I never expected him to be so cool and down to earth... Great work!


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aaminian

Beautiful!

by aaminian on Mon Feb 16, 2009 03:43 PM PST

I truly enjoyed these videos.  Comprehensive yet not long at all!  Thanks Mehrdad, and please keep 'em coming...


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choghok

by Fatollah (not verified) on Mon Feb 16, 2009 03:26 PM PST

The Railroad passed by Ahvaz as well, what was the contribution of the Ahvazies to the war effort? Or the railroad of 1940's Iran itself!?

Live and let live! ;-)

Overall, I liked this documentary as it reflected Iran as it is!

I think every Sunday BBC has a programme about Iran, last Sunday was about Esfahan, though I did not watch it!


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