A Special Screening of "For Neda"

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A Special Screening of "For Neda"
by Nahzi
08-Jun-2010
 

My friend, Shohreh Aghdashloo, had graciously invited me to attend a special screening of HBO's documentary, "For Neda".  I had already seen the documentary but I went to watch it with people and to see and experience THEIR reaction.

The screening was followed by a panel which included the narrator: Shohreh Aghdashloo, the director of "For Neda", Anthony Thomas and a young man who sat next to him.  By the time the session was over, it was obvious that beside Neda, in fact, he was THE star of the evening.  He was Austin Heap.  The 25 year old IT consultant who took it up on himself to keep the flow of information open during those sensitive weeks of last summer following the election in Iran.

When the government of Iran blocked Facebook and/or internet, he took various technical steps to provide bypasses to the people in Iran who needed to access the internet to get the news and the footage out of the country.  When after a few days the government blocked that as well, Austin designed a system that enabled the people in Iran to keep in contact with the rest of the world which he explains in detail in the movie.

Austin said: "... Freedom is something you have to fight for... The more brutal they (the government) got the more determined I became to not give them the power to silence the people...... Here I go being from a 24 year old, spending my time playing video games and hanging out with my friends to all of a sudden having to maintain open communications for the entire country."

All panelists were warmly received by the audience and were applauded again and again but it was Austin that truly moved everyone with the passionate comments he made: "I have been asked why did you do it.  You are not Iranian.  I told them, what difference does it make."

Today, Austin Heap in my honorary Iranian of the Day....

To watch the entire documentary click here.

My blog: Nahzi's Corner

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Nahzi

My pleasure Azadeh jaan

by Nahzi on

Before Monday night, I had respect for "the American guy" who had helped out the Iranians with providing some kind of internet solutions for them during the trying days of last summer.But once I watched and listened to him I realized that I am in the presence of a modern type of freedom fighter.  I was in awe of him and was filled with adoration and respect.

Azadeh, his whole body language cried out his passion and belief in what is right and what wrong should be fought with.  I wish everyone could  see and hear him.  That is why I meant it when I wrote, 'he is my honorary Iranian of the Day".

Here is a link to his website...


Azadeh Azad

Dear Nahzi

by Azadeh Azad on

Thank you so much for this blog. Austin is indeed a hero. We live in such exceptional times.

Azadeh