Archive - Feb 2012

Damascus & Tehran: A Separation

Seldom has the dividing line between the forces of moderation and the forces of extremism been so clear in the Middle East. The extremist anti-West, Iran-led Shiite Crescent, consisting of Iraq (largely operating at Iran's behest), Syria, and Lebanon, heavily subsidized by Tehran with political capital and financial resources for the past three decades, is now under serious threat of collapse thanks to the crack in its most critical link: Syria's Assad regime>>>

UN Islamic Bloc Rejects Gay Rights as Human Rights

Yet another issue of contention for Iran – while the overwhelming and ever-growing oppression of Iran’s citizenry, and rampant human rights abuses>>>

Relationships & Class

Why has this film drawn so much attention? Many Iranian and international film critics have pointed out that this film in particular and Farhadi’s films in general are preoccupied with ethical quandaries and the search for truth. Other critics have singled out Farhadi’s ability to present complex characters and the complexity of human relationships in general. No character is portrayed as entirely heroic or entirely evil. What are some of the key themes that Farhadi has singled out in "A Separation"?>>>

Time Lapse Dance Project

50 minutes become 2. >>>

به یاد عالم‌تاج کلانتری - داستان «داد»

به فکر ایجاد تشکیلاتی در دفاع از زندانیان سیاسی و افشای موارد نقض حقوق بشر در رژیم شاه افتادم. از این انجمن‌ها در گوشه و کنار کم نبود، ولی هر یک در تیول یک جریان سیاسی قرار داشت. چگونه می‌شد از این خطر اجتناب کرد؟ راه حل را در این دیدم که انجمنی متشکل از خانواده‌های «شهدا» و زندانیان سیاسی ایجاد شود. انجمنی که تنها و تنها بستگان درجه ۱ و ۲ قربانیان سیاسی رژیم بتوانند در آن عضو شوند>>>

شکوفه

لیک ز برگ افتاده ماست
که رنگین گشته سبزِ دیروز
>>>

Harmony

As the events surrounding the One Book, One San Diego program approach, it’s hard for me to decide which is more important: My spot on the glory mountain, or the approaching Persian New Year? Caught between the two, I wrote down the plans and thought about them. Plan A – Skip the usual and forge ahead with the One Book events. Plan B – Keep your beloved tradition and skip a few book activities>>>