Tehran Tehran طهران تهران

Review of Dariush Mehrjui's "Tehran Tehran" - Payam Ashena, October 2010.

Movie on Ansari in space flight in Petaluma festival

Iran Times: [Thursday, 14 October 2010]: The three-day Petaluma International Film Festival, set to kick off in Northern Callifornia October 22, will feature several films staring Iranians, but not actors and actresses.

The festival will feature more than 40 films from 25 countries, ranging from fiction and documentary to animation and musical.

“Space Tourists,” directed by Christian Frei, features Iranian-American Anousheh Ansari. The Mashhad-born woman became both the first Iranian, and the first self-funded woman, to fly to the International Space Station in 2006.

The documentary-style film follows the real story of Ansari, who paid $20 million dollars to fund her trip to outer space. “Space Tourists” follows Ansari’s journey from training in Star City, Kazakhstan, into space—showing everyday life as it is on the International Space Station. More...

3rd Iranian Film Festival - San Francisco

3rd Annual Iranian Film Festival - San Francisco, Payam Ashena, September 2010.

A True Connaisseur and Lover of Cinema

by Darius Kadivar on Thu Sep 30, 2010 03:06 AM PDT

Saeed Shafa is doing an excellent work with Triburon & IFF

A True Connaisseur and Lover of Cinema:

Iranian.com: The Success of a Film Festival on the long run truly depends on the Stamina and love of the Founder for the films and professionals it showcases.

Unlike many Show Off Initiatives to date in the Iranian Diaspora Film Community where the Founder of the festival tries to promote himself or herself rather than take a true and deep interest in the profession and films presented, happily Mr. Shafa and his team on the contrary have developed a network of interesting and loyal connections with other passionate moviegoers and film critics over the years that enhance the quality and sincerity of their commitment to all GENUINE Lovers of the Silver Screen.

I wish him all the best of success in celebrating Iranian Cinema including that of the Diaspora productions which I believe is a noble endeavor to bridge our Persian Cinematic Culture with that of the American Independant cinema as well as more commercial Hollywood productions particularly given the competitive market of films which is a reality no one can ignore today and which all filmmakers need to take into account if they wish to survive and be taken into account.

My Only Regret: I wish I could have been there … ;0(
VIVE LE CINEMA !