HOLLYWOOD

Thanks Darius

Here's Newell speaking his mind after his "Harry Potter: Goblet of Fire" film became a big success:

"I was very anxious to break the franchise out of this goody-two-shoes feel. It's my view that children are violent, dirty, corrupt anarchists. Just adults-in-waiting basically." 

If there was a natural pull towards Bollywood during production, the rebellious Newell would have worked hard to  resist it. We'll wait and see how far he has succeeded.

Good Job Ari ! ( Reprise)

Very good questions Ari Jaan,

Hope the film will live up to our expectations as Persians although my gut feeling is that this is going to be Hollywood in Bollywood !

Also personally I would have prefered Monica Bellucci to Gemma Arterton ( who was terrible in Quantum of Solace as much as the entire Movie and cast "Daniel Craig excluded of course" ):

A PERSIAN PRINCESS: Monica Bellucci on Prince of Persia (The Game):

//iranian.com/main/blog/darius-kadivar/persian-princess-monica-bellucci-prince-persia

And although not a must  I wouldn't have snubbed some 3D effects but that is not their fault for the movie started production before Avatar Hit the screens.

So might as well have it in 1D than a poorly imitated 3 D ... as in the Clash of the Titans or Alice in Wonderland 

But well I still look forward to seeing the movie. At least they did read the Shahnameh it seems for the characters name. It changes from 300 ...

Looking forward to your other interesting articles as always.

Warm Regards,

DK

Recommended Readings:

Prince Of Persia Finishes Shooting! by DK

Under Persian Masks by Darius KADIVAR

Jake Gyllenhaal Crowned Prince of Persia! by Darius KADIVAR

A Persian Prince in the Making by Darius KADIVAR

Persian Enigma by Darius KADIVAR

We have a voice!

Over the last 25 years I've watched Hollywood use Iranians as they might use props.  On screen, Iranians have been one-dimensional rabid villains or, in the kindest renditions, misguided and tragic victims.  Iranian characters and culture were distorted at whim, because there were no consequences to filmakers for doing so.  We complained among ourselves of course.  But as far as the filmakers, and the general American public whose favor they sought were concerned, we were voiceless.

I didn't find anything in Mr Bruckheimer's answers that indicates a sudden epiphany on Hollywood's part.  And I'm sure Prince of Persia will be full of frustrating historical inaccuracies, even if it is a step in the right direction to have an actual Persian (can I call him Iranian?) hero.  

No, it wasn't the content of the answers that made me want to shout for joy upon reading this interview.  It was the sharp, probing questions--and the fact that a top Hollywood producer felt compelled to provide answers.  It seems Hollywood is now answerable to the Iranian community for its portrayals of our people and our culture. 

Keep up the good work!

Congrats Ari Jaan ;0)

Although I noticed your interview, I still Haven't had the time to read it yet ( which explains why I did not comment) but will do in due time.

So Stay Tuned !

Warm Regards,

DK

thsi might be good

i'll check the movie out

Read the interview People (Aynak)

The movie is not about the Shahnameh people.  The name is very misleading and the ADD readers (Aynak), don't seem to be able to get passed it.  Prince of Persia Sands of Time is based on a very famous video game produced in the late 80's, that is still around.  The video game is arguably one of the most famous in the last two decades and millions of people have played it. If you are Iranian and have kids anywhere between 12 and 42 that grew up in the west, they have probably played it.  The game is so popular that I am sure Disney and JB are more concerned about pleasing the gamers than us.  This movie is not a story from the Shahnameh. 

No wonder our community can't ever see beyond it's own toes, because we
don't look that far. 
I am getting heartburn, by reading some of these comments.  I've got to stop reading these things. One last thing, even a bad movie about the Shahnameh is better than no movie at all.  Do you think all the movies based on Homer, or Roman history are well made and accurate? One step at a time. A movie made by disney and bruckheimer, based on a video game set in mythical persia, with a couple of names taken from Iranian folklore, IS A GOOD THING.  

why do we lack so much in self confidence?

last I checked, Shahnameh is (according to Ferdosi himself)  several thousands years old, ( myth/story/history), and if it has survived this long, it will regardless of a disney movie made about it or not.  So it is very  important to know the details of how a producer/director goes about making a film about one of its most famous stories.

Some of the question Ari has asked were right to the point.   Please at least read the interview.   The answers provided by Jerry are not at all convincing.

You can ask what is the purpose of this film?   Will it be true to the spirit of Shahnameh?   With Jerry's interpreation of "Dastan" he already gives the first bad vibe.   One can easily read Shahnameh to get a picture of Rostam's physical attributes and family background.   Jerry's interpretation already does not match what Rostam was about.  Not from family background (and it looks like Jerry has not even done his homework there to know Rostams was not as he puts it:" Dastan is a child of the streets who is adopted by the king", not to mention the title "Prince of Persia" which is something Rostam was never known as.   (Rostam, the Persian Warrior would have seemed like a good title).   Then the film is shot in Morocco, so don't come back here after you watch the film and say they are showing Iran as all deserts.   (Most of Rostams fights happens in Mazandaran as well as what could be considered todays Azarbaijan Armania, or Touran).   Even based on the description of Systan and Zabol, the climate at the time in that state was very different than today, this is simply based on reference to some of the oldest civilization and number of people who lived there).

I am not sure why so many are thankful for a movie they have not seen regarding our biggest mythical  warrior? I state my concerns and my doubts, at least those who are so in awe of the film, can they give their reasoning for their optimism?

Part of the problem with these type of film making is that the film director can change a real event (like Miller did in 300, by the way Xerxex was portrayed) and then dismss the critiques by saying it is just a fictioan!   I can see the directors doing it for making a buck (and some other motives),  but for us to applaud the distortion?

statira

Ari

 Do u have a video of interview ?  if not,you and Darius Kadivar should make a team and interview them+ Gemma.This is a rare apportunity that might not happen again.

aynak

We all need to be grateful to Mr. Bruckheimer for starting to show our culture in a good way. I don't understand why some still nagging. What do u expect? Do you wanna see another Alexander or 300?

Substantial interview Ari

Look forward to reading your review of the movie. 

thanks Ari

.

Some more replies

Obama, thank you for the very kind words. The positive qualities you describe, to the extent that I strive towards them, I owe to an Iranian upbringing.

Alexzanziber: Acute observation about the significance of this outreach to the Iranian diaspora community. Yes, the ball is in our court now to respond positively.

Aynak: Give it time, as other in this thread have noted this is a good first step. 

Ari, excellent job

Wonderful line of questions and excellent report.

Thanks

-YT 

Thanks but no thanks Jerry!

So proud of Ari

So Ari jan, you are a persian. I thought you were German. What does ur last name mean?

Ari, U R a great representative of our community!Smart, handsome

sophisticated, intellectual, artist, well spoken and written, community activist, patient, not a reactionary, calm, writer and story teller, proud of your iranian background, know our history, and you seem to be a gentleman.

You are the type of person who can leave an excellent impression of us on the artists in the entertainment industry.I say this (even though I have never met you) not because of one interview, based on all of your writings that I have read over the years.

Ari, areh you've got my vote my fellow countryman! May be you could have played zaal!

Thanks to iranian.com and Ari

Thanks Ari. I have to say I am very impressed you got this interview and that Disney and JB are reaching out to the community. Someone here also commented that Disney was present this year at the Persian Parade! Wow. That's weird.  After being uniformly ingnored as a community, to have a film with the title Prince of Persia and the recognition of the community by the filmmakers, who happen to be the biggest fish in the biggest pond, is, how should I say it, emotional. 

I know many of Iranian.com readers are Iranians who migrated here, but as a kid who grew up to middle age crisis, outside of Iran, and who still plays the video game. I can tell you that the simple fact that Hollywood is treating Persia, like Rome, Greece, and Eqypt, is awsome.  I like to remind everyone that Elizabeh taylor was not Egyptian, Kirk Douglas was not Thracian. WTF, would Bruckheimer cast an Iranian in the lead.   The fact that JB and Disney have taken this first step is huge with anyone that associates it self with Iranzamin and has been waiting for recognition of an era and peoples lost to the western world. Anyone who wants to see actual Iranian histroical stories and folklore, on the silver screen, better step up and thank Disney and JB for paving the way.  The community should puts its money where its mouth is and make sure this succeeeds. Because if mr. bruckheimer, aka Mr. Moneymaker, can't make money with this film, it'll be much more difficult to make the case for it. 

Many thanks for reading folks

تصور نمیکنم که ایشان دل سوخته برای تاریخ پارسیان باشند

آری جان بسیار لذت بردیم از این مصاحبه، دستتان درد نکند هم وطن.

تا فیلم را نبینیم،نمیتوانیم با خیال راحت نظر دهیم ! این هالیوودیها تنها به جیب خودشان مینگرند و بس ! تصور نمیکنم که ایشان دل سوخته برای تاریخ پارسیان باشند و بخواهند واقعیت را به غیر ایرانیان نشان دهند، سابقه اینان بسیار خط خطی‌ و بی‌ پایه است در این زمینه.

امید وارم که اینبار اشتباه کرده باشم.باید صبر کرد و فیلم را دید.

Thank you Ari

for the interview.  Well done!!!  We need more Iranians in the entertainment industry.

I'm excited to see Prince of Persia.  They are targeting the Iranian community with advertisement.  They had a float in the Persian parade in NYC and were passing out posters.  

Excellent Interview Ari

Very good questions and very much to the point. Seeing the film is now in my "to do" list.

Khaleh Mosheh is right about the Dastan and it is indeed another name for Zaal. Here is another line from Shahnameh in which Rostam addresses the Siavash after his death:

خوش آنروز کاندر گلستان بدیم

ببزم سر افراز دستان بدیم

Ineterestingly many people think "Rostam Dastan" means "Rostam of Story" and I was one of them prior to reading the Shahnameh.

Dear Ari

Great interview.  I was right about you.

Dear Statira

I suppose they actually did not have a particular character from Shahnameh in mind they were just after a name for the character they created in the film.

As far as Rostam e Dastan is concerned, the way I look at it the ancestory of Rostam is as follows,

Rosatm Fathered by Zal( Dastan) who is Fathered by Saam, who is Fathered by Nariman and so we have

Rostam e Dastan (or Zal)

Dastan e Saam

Saam e Nariman

 So the formula is

(Son's name) e (father's name) so as far as Rostam e Dastan is concerned Dastan is not Rostam's name it is his father's. But I guess it really does not matter here because there probably is no connection between the Prince of Persia and a Shahname character in the storyline of the film in any case.

Best wishes 

khaleh Mosheh

Maybe they meant Rostam . Rostam was Zal's son and he was famous as Rostame dastan.

Great interview

Although I think they have got it wrong on Dastan- the albino white haired prince(hence called Zal- Old man). He had been abandoned by his father Sam - due to being born white haired-and was nursed by Simorgh who then gave him the name Dastan. Here is the verse that Simorgh tells him his name

 نهادم ترا نام دستان زند

که با تو پدر کرد دستان و بند

Great interview, Ari

Mr. Brukheimer or Mr. blockbuster is gonna rock even more with this movie.

on the census, should we now write Persian-American not Iranian

American? I sent mine already! Darn it!

This is what happens when we are not totally connected to our souls and not proud of who we are as people or individuals. I don't need validation from Hollywood to feel proud or ashamed. Their ignorance is not my problem.

However, the reality is that PR matters. That's why I never saw 300, nor w/o my daughter, but I will make sure to take my kids to see this one. I won't be surprised to see many of us still complain! As long as Hollywood is improving! I am fine with it.

Ari, your questions proved how deep and bright you are, which I never doubted before. Thanks!

Thanks Ari

Good interview. And smart comment by JJ! but I guess I will remain an Iranian!

Lucky Persians

For all those who were convinced "300" was a conspiracy to defame Persians/Iranians, "Prince of Persia" will be something to think about.

Of course, many conspiracy theorists will see this film as confirmation of their views (nothing will change their mind), but the fact is that Hollywood is there to entertain and make money. Period. We just got lucky this time.

Thanks for the interview Ari.

PS: After this film comes out, there will be a sudden 10-fold increase in the number of Iranians who will describe themselves as "Persians". Whatever makes you happy :>)