Esfand Aashena

Oscars are not shown live on West Coast? What a bummer!

Everything is sacred

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oh, really?

I am watching now! so East Coast people watched already?

SEPARATION AT LAST! THANK GOD ALMIGHTY SEPARATION WON AT LAST!

Everything is sacred

Separation detractors don't want Separation to win!

In this review they're saying the Belgium film Monsieur Lazhar "Will Win" whereas Separation is a "Should Win"!  Others are casting the In Darkness the Holocaust movie as another contender that will win.

Separation "Shall Win"! 

Everything is sacred

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Thank you, Mouse, for the excerpt! I can't wait for Oscar!

I can't accept the defeat!

Iranian Film 'A Separation' Favorite to Win Academy Award

Our nation's capital isn't the only town keeping an eye on Iran this week. Hollywood is, too.

For critics and film scholars, "A Separation" works on many levels. "The writing is flawless, the directing is superb; it's a serious, well-crafted movie, but it isn't ever tedious. It's an audience movie," Guy Flatley of Moviecrazed.com says. "I would be very surprised if it doesn't get the Academy Award."

So will it win? Most say yes. But Richard Pena, program director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York City, cautions that there might be a backlash in the voting. He says he thinks it's "very strong and deserves to win" and "it's the right moment."

But there might be members of the Academy who won't vote for it, believing a "yes" vote would mean rewarding Iran's "system, seen as totalitarian and authoritarian," he said. "Or you might have people who think voting for this is a vote for peace, that say art rises above these preoccupations."

Everything is sacred

How an Iranian film unites us all

I didn't know Termeh is Farhadi's real daughter (Sarina Farhadi).

How an Iranian film unites us all 

As such, it can find a mirror in an American political system in which politicians are willing to mouth any absurdity to appeal to a noisy, marginalized and in many cases fundamentalist minority, whose inclinations toward freedom, intellect, diversity and reason don't place them all that far from the mullahs. Frankly, you don't want either group to have a nuke.

Everything is sacred

فارسی شکر است

کلمات و اصطلاحات دهان پر کن در فارسی کم نیست. بطور نمونه، "عاقل و بالغ و راشد."  و در رابطه با مصاحبه فرهادی، "اختیار."  تو خود حدیث مفصل بخوان از این مجمل.

I didn't know we had a "human agency"!

Having read that wiki link that you provided it'd make sense.  I think Farhadi probably used the word "ensaniyat" or human decency but they ended up translating it to a more sophisticated and mouthful word! 

Everything is sacred

Lost in translation?

The interview with Farhadi published in CSM was conducted by one Roshanak Taghavi. Her name is Iranian, which raises the possibility that it was conducted in Persian and translated by the correspondent. In the context of the quoted sentence “agency” makes much more sense to me than “decency.” So, the question is what word in Persian did Farhadi use?

incognito sorry I missed your comment.

My intention wasn't to single out a gastrointestinal person or dignify naysayers.  My intention about mentioning this side of the Separation story was because many already have this idea that Iranian films are "sad". 

I remember when the movie was first shown in Iran those who had seen it would first say it was a good movie but "as usual" sad.  That went on for a while until the film started winning (winning :-) and then people started taking another look and this time they all liked it and the "sad" comment went away.

The 2/5 of the blog that I used to cover this subject was because in general we should expect the Iranian cinema to portray the realities on the ground which is "sad".  There are comedies and dramas and they make tons of movies every year.  Think past the sadness and live in the moment.  That's why you go to the movies isn't it?

thanks for your comment. 
 

Everything is sacred

Human decency not human agency!

In the interview in the first paragraph that I quoted from Farhadi, I think there is a spelling error either made by the print or Farhadi thinks agency is decency in English!  But the intention is clear, it should be "human decency has decreased". 

Mona jaan you're welcome.  There are other new generation of our artists who have artists parents as well.  I can't name many right on top of my head but Ehsan Khaje Amiri is to us as Enrique Iglasias is to others!  He is Iraj's son as Enrique is Julio's son ;-)  His baraye akharin bar is a hit song and young Iranian girls/women zaef mikonan barash and this song!

Ghasem! 10:30 for first showtime is a good time, here in US first showing is at 11 and when I'm in Iran I get up early and by the time I have breakfast and hit the pavement it's about 9:30. 

Everything is sacred

Thanks for all the great info

Esfand, it was the first time I read this interview of Farhadi. And I had not heard of "In a Better World"'s winning last year.

Also, I had no idea about Hatami's parents. (i must search for kolbeye on sooye roodkhaaneh too! mersee)

Did any body notice, the time for first show in the morning?

It starts at 10:30. Wouldn't that be a bit early?

Demo that quote from Farhadi is not for u! Don't worry about it!

Everything is sacred

The Book of Silence

“But in Iran, we(?) think(?) democracy (?) means comfort (Really, since when?), when in fact (Vow!)
freedom means having to bear responsibility (& now that is too much wisdom!), which is difficult (No pity party, please!). Thus (wrong ending!) Termeh is experiencing freedom (Here we go again!): but it is painful (for whom?).”

With all his wisdom, Rumi has a prayer asking GOD to include him in the Book of Silence and repeateddly tells his deciples that silence will create respect and dignity. But unfortunately most of us as Iranians do not learn from such valuable lessons.

Now whether or not the movie wins any Oscar, the message above really deseves the top Turkey award and is a 100% proof of the so called elite/educated class 'separation' from the realities/truths of our society. For instance, Like Farhadi the mentioned class calls the whole society as 'we' and express their own opponions as the statements of the facts. And such is often really painful to bear!

P.S. Hope that winning these 2 Oscar awards will not be as useless and as self serving as Ebadi's nobel peace award!

In Washington DC you can now watch it on big sreen w/ subtitles.

In Washington DC area: 

 AMC Shirlington in Virginia

 Bethesda Row Cinema in Maryland

Everything is sacred

Hand to hand combat between Separation and Darkness!

In Darkness Awards vs A Separation Awards.

If Separation doesn't win There Will Be Blood! 

Everything is sacred

 Yolanda: I'm not worried

 Yolanda: I'm not worried about Footnote but the other Polish movie, "In  Darkness" by  W ciemności (In Darkness), Agnieszka Holland

 //www.imdb.com/title/tt1417075/

That one is a formidable contender.

A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny.--Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

Footnote, the Israeli nominee.

While every movie that is nominated is noteworthy and I will certainly see it, Footnote is about a father and son in academics.  Separation has a lot going and an active movie that keeps you interested throughout.  Besides Separation has won many awards with the current list of competitors.

As far as IRI oh IRI not allowing Farhadi to attend, they usually do this for athletes who have to compete in person, like hand to hand combat!  In this case Farhadi is just sitting at a table and they either call his name or not.  In World Cup they'll let the team play as long as they are not in the same group.  They don't have enough faith that either team will get passed their groups!

Everything is sacred

Anahid

Kolbeh ei aan sooieh Roodkhaneh was a popular story by Manouchehr Motiei in the weekly Zan-e-Rooz. It was turned into a movie in the 70's. It was the story of a forbidden love and a pregnancy and a happy ending at the end!

Manouchehr Motiei was also the writer of "bar sar-e do raahi" which was one of the most popular weekly stories on Zan-e Rooz.

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Hi! Mouse,

   An Israeli movie is nominated for Oscar alongside "A Separation".......I am a little worried that IRI may force Farhadi to boycott the Oscars. Let's see what happens!

Separation is also

Separation is also nominated for the 'Best screemplay''; A first in Hollywood.

A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny.--Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

Separation prayer offensive!

Faramarz jaan remember few years ago when Supreme Court ruled something about gays (forgot what it was) and Pat Robertson issues a "prayer offensive" for something bad to happen to the Justices?  I think it's time for a prayer offensive for Separation to get the Oscars, both of them!

In fact, I motion that if it doesn't win we start our own Occupy Hollywood all over the United States!

If it wins two Oscars it will go on top of the list as movies having won more than one which usually are not many.  One film wins few but most win just one and twos are less than a handful.

Yes Zari Khoshkam was the bomb and among my "subjects"! ;-)

As far as Separation's ending and letting the daugher to decide, well it's like that everywhere and nothing unusual.  The Judge wants to hear from the child now whether or not the Judge goes with the child's wishes is another step.

Every year when the nominations come out I print a list and make sure I see all of them because there is something special about each one, no matter what category they were nominated.  Except last year I didn't see 123 Hours, seemed like a waste of time to watch one guy waiting to cut his own leg!  Thanks but no thanks!

Anahid jaan this movie like all other movies nominated in this category have a universal appeal.  As I mentioned in the blog these movies let you live in another world for couple of hours.  Good movies are supposed to do this.  People who are mature enough are able to enjoy these movies in addition to Hollywood movies.  

Yolanda I don't think it matters if Farahani comes or not.  One day she may get her own nomination.  All eyes are on Farhadi.  The guy who played Nader was with him in Golden Globes and perhaps the rest of the cast, or at least most of them, can join him for the Oscar night.  They can all come to the stage like when the Slumdog Millionaire won the best picture!  All aboard! 

Everything is sacred

 Zari Khoshkam, Leila's

 Zari Khoshkam, Leila's mom:

//www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&biw=1093&bih=496&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=hfMaSbspwNHlQM:&imgrefurl=//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ali_Hatami_with_Zari_Khoshkam_(wife).jpg&docid=nofLt4neU4qOZM&imgurl=//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Ali_Hatami_with_Zari_Khoshkam_(wife).jpg&w=620&h=876&ei=2gkfT9CdAuPo2AWF7bGfDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=98&vpy=82&dur=38&hovh=267&hovw=189&tx=124&ty=160&sig=115112032478461258964&page=1&tbnh=155&tbnw=109&start=0&ndsp=11&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

 //www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&biw=1093&bih=496&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=eIbcRFlQ5QQZlM:&imgrefurl=//iranian.com/Nostalgia/2002/June/zari2.html&docid=lT7rw6Ii-XQkqM&imgurl=//iranian.com/Nostalgia/2002/June/Images/zari2.jpg&w=586&h=478&ei=2gkfT9CdAuPo2AWF7bGfDw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=271&sig=115112032478461258964&page=1&tbnh=155&tbnw=190&start=0&ndsp=11&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&tx=69&ty=131

A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny.--Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

Vildemose

I was also surprised to find out that she was the daughter of Ali Hatami and Zari Khoshkam.

Leila Hatami came to the Berlin awards and was careful with her words. She lives in Iran and she has to watch what she says. I hope that they all will be freed soon so that they can wear what they want and say what they wish.

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I hope "A Separation" wins! I am anxious to hear what the director will say this time! I was wondering if Farahani will be invited to the Oscars?

Thanks Esfand for the blog. Question for Faramarz

Esfand jaan, I think this movie; A separation,  has resonated with some people very deeply. A good friend of mine recenty saw the movie and she has sent many e-mails writing about how great this movie is.

Faramarz,  I liked "Leila Hatami" in the movie "Leila". I remember Zari Khoshkam from her work including "Soltane Sahebgharan". But could you please explain about "Kolbeh ei aan sooie Roodkhaneh". I don't remember that, even though it sounds familiar.

Why dignify naysayers?

Two-fifth of your blog is wasted scolding someone for his
gastrointestinal reaction to Farhadi’s film. Why? ‘A Separation’ is a mirror we Iranians – and possibly others – see ourselves in, whether we like it or not. His reaction was denial. No one should be surprised, let alone angered.

One can learn from the silverer himself. Notice how Farhadi shines – as you quoted – in the CSM’s propaganda rough.

Dear Farmarz: I had no idea

Dear Farmarz: I had no idea she was the daughter of Zari Khoshkam..Thanks for sharing that info. Where is Leila?? Is she in Iran? Was she forbidden to come to US??

A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny.--Aleksandr S

olzhenitsyn.