Iranian Magazine: Persianesque.com

Venice Film Festival 2009: Green Days by Hana Makhmalbaf

Jujunaz — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:20:09 +0000

The 66th Venice Film Festival’s list of participating films has already been announced, yet festival director Marco Muller has decided to add a new film Green Days, made by Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s daughter: Hana Makhmalbaf, to the festival’s exciting lineup of movies. Shot on the streets of Tehran during the days prior to the Iranian presidential election, Green Days’ main [...]

Persian Tar: Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters

Jujunaz — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:58:07 +0000

Check out Metallica’s song Nothing Else Matters in accoustic guitar and tar, both of which are Persian instruments.

Persian Rap: Zed Bazi – Koocheh

Jujunaz — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:07:45 +0000

Check out our beloved Persian rap superstars, the super-duper talented, Zed Bazi song: Koocheh (street). We just can’t get enough of these guys! Click here for another one of our Zed Bazi favorites: Zendegiye Mane (It’s My Life).

Middle East Mystique: Cruising the Persian Gulf and Visiting Persepolis

Jujunaz — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:18:49 +0000

CrystalCruises wants to take you on a “journey into the heart of ancient lands, where the Persian, Greek, Egyptian, Roman and Ottoman empires once ruled the world, and monuments to their great legacies still stand,” via their cruise, World Voyage IV: Middle East Mystique. The groundbreaking cruise will visit Crystal’s first-ever port of calls in Iran, Kuwait, [...]

Shirin Askari: Project Runway Season 6 Premiere

Jujunaz — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:21:03 +0000

Be sure to watch Project Runway’s season six premiere tonight, August 20th, on Lifetime at 10 pm et/pt, or you’ll miss the very sweet Persian treat: contestant Shirin Askari. “My name means sweet in Farsi,” says the 23-year-old Iranian-American fashion designer on her audition tape. “I am, but if somebody says something stupid, I’m gonna’ call’em on it.” “I want to share my [...]

American Perspective: Iran and the Iranian Election

Jujunaz — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:30:03 +0000

BY JULIE JIGSAWNOVICH NEW YORK–Going to Iran, seeing the presidential campaign, and transitioning from being a tourist into being a supporter of the rights of Iranian voters was an evolution in knowledge and feelings. I was upset when the Taliban blew up the giant Buddhas in Afghanistan. I’m not religious, but I’m an artist and I care about [...]

Discovery in Iran: Footprints of 109 Million Year-Old Dinosaurs

Jujunaz — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:59:55 +0000

Northern Kerman is replete with fossil sites, and now, a 109 million year-old rock has been unearthed near Zarand, Kerman. It contains 15 fossilized footprints of dinosaurs from the same time: the Cretaceous period, known in many languages (including Farsi/Persian; “doraaneh gachi“) as the “chalk period”. The footprints discovered are said to belong to a mother dinosaur and her young. We bet paleontologists around the [...]

Bratz vs. Barbie: Racism Against Iranians Cause of Trial Verdict?

Jujunaz — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:31:54 +0000

Last year, a juror in the Barbie vs. Bratz trial was removed for “making slurs about the ethnicity of Isaac Larian, the Jewish, Iranian-born CEO of MGA, maker of Bratz.” The jury-member’s hypocritcal verbal attack, calling Iranians: “rude” and “thieves” who have “stolen other person’s ideas”, leaves us pondering whether this juror should move out of their sheer [...]

Best Defense: Engaging Iran on Human Rights?

Jujunaz — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:49:48 +0000

“With Mahmoud Ahmadinejad now inaugurated for another four-year term, President Barack Obama is surely tempted to go back to seeking negotiations with Iran about its nuclear program. But these negotiations will not yield results and will only strengthen Ahmadinejad’s hold on power. Instead, the United States should try a radically different policy: It should propose [...]

Deja Vous: “Thirty Years Later…”

Jujunaz — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:33:18 +0000

BY MAHBOD SERAJI As the 40th day of Neda’s death was commemorated in Iran a few days ago, and [I learned] that a staggering number of 4,000 people were detained in protests that followed June’s disputed presidential election, I was reminded of my years there as a high school student just before the Islamic Revolution subdued [...]

Ardeshir TV: Iranian Singers’ Weird Titles

Jujunaz — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:15:55 +0000

You MUST check out Ardeshir Ahmadi’s latest comedy clip. In this video, the man behind the cute Esfehooni accent and highly-entertaining Vancouver-based Ardeshir TV, parodies Iranian singers like: Homeira, Kamran & Hooman, Faramarz Asef, Afshin, and more! Click here for another one of our Ardeshir-TV favorites. Enjoy!

Hafez: Depeche Mode Display Persian Poetry at Concerts

Jujunaz — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:57:29 +0000

Depeche Mode was precious in the 1980’s, but they still have massive appeal and end-of-rainbow reach, including in Iran. With a substantial following amongst Iranians in and out of Iran, Depeche Mode’s Iranian fans couldn’t be more thrilled with this move by the band whose song “Precious” has become the default outlet for their shout out to Iranians. “We love [...]

Persian Ballet: Symphony of Elegy in Green

Jujunaz — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:26:29 +0000

Iranian artists in the diaspora are getting creative in showing support for their fellow compatriots back home. Based in Sweden, Iranian dancer/choreographer Nima Kiann has created Elegy in Green, described as a “contemporary dance drama”, exclusively for participating members of his Le Ballet Persans Dance Company-sponsored group: the European Youth Dance Project (EYDP). And he’s dedicating it to democracy, [...]

Nobel Laureates’ Message to Iranians: “Do Not Lose Hope”

Jujunaz — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:22:38 +0000

Yesterday, AFP reported that Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel (and 44 other Nobel prize winners) showed support for Iranians and their efforts, telling them: “Do not lose hope.” The message, delivered via an open letter in The New York Times, as a full-page advertisement. A multitude of Nobel laureates signed the letter, including Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and [...]

International Solidarity with Iranians: Italy Names Street After Neda

Jujunaz — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:56:25 +0000

On July 29th, 2009, Rome’s mayor Giovanni “Gianni” Alemanno named a street after Neda Agha Soltan, a prominent symbol of the Iranians who lost their lives during the massive protests (some claim 3 million protesters were out on the streets in Tehran on one particular day) against the Iranian election results. The city’s council voted on this motion [...]

Tehran: Iranians Protest Against the Government

Jujunaz — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:45:36 +0000

Nedayeh maa namordeh, in dolateh keh mordeh.” (Our Neda has not died, it’s the government that has died.)

Video: Sohrab A’arabi’s Mother and Brother Speak to Crowd at Tehran Cemetery

Jujunaz — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:32:16 +0000

In this video, Sohrab A’arabi’s mother and brother speak to a large crowd gathered around Sohrab’s grave in Beheshteh Zahra cemetery in Tehran. “Our children were unlawfully killed in the fight for freedom,” says the slain 19-year-old student’s mother. “They were all our children,” she says of all the young men and women who lost their [...]

Video: Iranian Election Aftermath – Iranians in Mourning

Jujunaz — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:48:28 +0000

One of the first chants heard in the video above is: “Iraani mimirad, mellat nemipazirad!” (An Iranian dies, the public does not accept!) In this video, a group of Iranians are seen at Iran’s largest cemetery Beheshteh Zahra (Heavan of Zahra) to mourn the death(s) of their loved ones. Located in southern Tehran, Beheshteh Zahra is where Neda Agha Soltan [...]

International Support for Iranians: Italian Soccer Player Francesco Totti Sends Message

Jujunaz — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:43:21 +0000

As international support for the people of Iran continues to increase every minute on an array of platforms – online, fashion runways, music concerts, and world rallies – one of the world’s biggest soccer stars Francesco Totti joins the pack. The Rome born and rasied AS Roma team leader Francesco Totti – known for his ”cucchiaio goalscoring technique” — sends his Iranian fans [...]

Human Rights: Global Day of Action – World Rally in Solidarity for Iran

Jujunaz — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:50:48 +0000

As an Iranian, we’re just as proud of our people for their bravery and fight for freedom as you are, but we are now also super-impressed and highly appreciative of our fellow compatriots (and non-Iranian friends) around the globe, who united for Iran at countless rallies in numerous cities held on July 25th. We just love that our global Iranian-community has found a [...]

Reza Aslan: Message of Support

Jujunaz — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:09:35 +0000

Watch Iranian scholar, Dr. Reza Aslan’s message of support for the people of Iran. (He’s also got a little request for you!) Dr. Aslan (click here to read our recent interview with Reza Aslan) wants you take part in tomorrow’s “global day of action” in showing solidarity with the Iranian people, their inspirational energy, and their noble fight [...]

Jake Gyllenhaal: Prince of Persia

Jujunaz — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:16:40 +0000

Check out the new poster that was released this week for Disney’s movie: Prince of Persia (opening May 2010) starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Gyllenhaal looks good, and Persian enough, but we still would have preferred a handsome Iranian actor (which reminds us: we need more active male Iranian actors in the US) to play the part. Someone like Mohammad Reza [...]

Activism: Iranian Artists Gather at UN Hunger Strike

Jujunaz — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:24:48 +0000

Watch famed Iranian musician, Faramarz Aslani sing one of his classic songs in New York amongst Iranian-Americans who gathered at U.N. Headquarters for a hunger strike in solidarity with Iranians in Iran. According to CBS News, “[Five-hundred] protesters gathered.” This protest was organized by Googoosh and was supported by some of Hollywood’s elite: Robert Redford and Sean Penn. What are they asking for? They’re [...]

Iranian American Comedienne: Interview with Nadine Rajabi

Jujunaz — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:11:19 +0000

By Sanaz Khalaj-Santos WASHINGTON, DC — “We’re kind of like UGG boots: brown, fury, and sweaty… and nobody can figure out why we’re so damn trendy,” quips the skiing/snowboarding Iranian-American comedienne and regular E! commentator Nadine Rajabi in a segment of her Showtime Comedy Special, Hot Tamales about being Persian. “I’m moving back home because my mom’s been having trouble paying [...]

Solidarity: Artwork Created During Hunger Strike at UN

Jujunaz — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:04:47 +0000

By Julie Jigsawnovich On July 22nd, during the first of the three-day of the hunger strike near the United Nations headquarters in New York City in support of Iranian protesters demanding democracy, freedom and human rights, Iranian Architect Soheil Tavakoli created a painting live, on site–combining imagery of Tehran’s Azadi Tower, the UN building and protesters [...]

Iranian Unity: Maz Jobrani’s Message of Support

Jujunaz — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:11:38 +0000

Watch Maz Jobrani’s message of support for the Iranian people as he urges everyone to get involved in the semi-synchronized worldwide rallies planned for this coming Saturday, July 25th. The call for the “global day of action” on July 25th by united4iran.org, has had much viral success. Click here to find a rally in your area. [...]

Op-Ed in Farsi: Iranian Underground Music

Jujunaz — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:20:11 +0000

سخنی با “خس و خاشاک های” موسیقی جوان و غیررسمی ایران By Nassir Mashkouri این نوشته روی سخن بسوی موسیقی پردازان موسیقی هیپ هاپ، راک و آلترناتیو ایران دارد. جریان های موسیقائی نو-فرهنگی که برآمده از رویکردهای متجددانه و گرایشات جهان-فرهنگی بخشی از جامعۀ جوان امروز ایران است در سالهائی که گذشت اکثر موسیقی پردازان در این جریان [...]

Contemporary Art: Iran Inside Out

Jujunaz — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:49:07 +0000

By Julie Jigsawnovich The few women wearing chadors who did allow me to photograph them were female artists creating traditional blue enamel bowls and vases, in Shiraz, Iran. What did they think about as they painted the tiny dots, swirls and figures day after day? Blue patterns and the beckoningly tactile look of glossy paint in Negar [...]

Video: Iran Friday Prayer – Masses Gather to Protest & Pray in Peace

Jujunaz — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:35:51 +0000

“Zendaanieh Siaassi… aazaad baayad gardad” (Political prisoners… must be freed) is just one of the few chants heard in this video from Iran’s Friday Prayer on July 17th, 2009 where men and women prayed next to one another in public for the first time. Click here for another video that shows masses of people walking the streets [...]

Christiane Amanpour Interviewed by Rita Wilson for Harper’s Bazaar

Jujunaz — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:24:12 +0000

The wife of Tom Hanks and Harper’s Bazaar writer, Rita Wilson interviews one of the smartest journalists of all time, the ultimate Iranian female role model: Christiane Amanpour. In the introduction, Rita writes about Amanpour’s “iconic style of safari jackets, shiny hair with heavy bangs,” while naming her “fierce intelligence” as her most “prominent feature.” Amanpour goes on to [...]

Modern Art: Dax Foundation Presents “Not Man Apart: Pericles Redux” Directed by John Farmanesh-Bocca

Jujunaz — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:08:16 +0000

The Dax Foundation - Performing Arts Charitable Trust presents: Pericles Redux by Not Man Apart , a physical-theatre ensemble founded and directed by Iranian artist and Julliard Fellow, John Farmanesh-Bocca. The ensemble was formed and directed by John Farmanesh-Bocca and is said to create “adrenilized stage works in a host of different styles and genres, [by] mashing-up techniques of the past to find [...]

Op-Ed: Reflections on Iran

Jujunaz — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:37:04 +0000

By Taraneh Zaman Not surprisingly, the phrase “the dog days of summer” never translates well into Farsi. June 12, 2009 jolted the passions of [the] Iranian community and others like no other in recent memory. Across the spectrum, the election and its aftermath took the political experts by surprise, though no clear consensus [has] emerged about [...]

Video: Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Bruno” on Ahmadinejad

Jujunaz — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:49:11 +0000

In a new interview for his just released film, Bruno, Sacha Baron Cohen’s uber-gay character is asked: “If you had a chance to go on a date with Kim Jong -il or Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who would you choose and what would you do?” And he chooses Ahmadinejad! Watch this clip to get a good laugh as the half-Iranian comedian’s daring Bruno, [...]

Gorg: Jhanvieh Releases New Album

Jujunaz — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:29:03 +0000

Your favorite Persian circuit-bending-lounge-musicians: Jhanvieh release their new album titled; “Gorg” (Wolf). Jhanvieh band-members Sam and Anahita, who chose to delay the release of their first single from their new album Gorg, Khoon-Asham(Vampire) – an intense mix of electro-guitar sounds and Farsi lyrics that is sure to earn your respect and send you into a retrospective trance, making you reflect on it [...]

Camp Ayandeh 2009: From Building Trust to Becoming a Team Leader

Jujunaz — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:49:18 +0000

By Leyla Serway IAAB Staff Member Games of vasati under blue skies, evening celebrations of Iranian holidays, and music of the Daf and Tombak – these activities only begin to describe the week at Camp Ayandeh 2009. The fourth installment of Camp Ayandeh, Iranian Alliances Across Borders’ annual summer leadership camp for high school students, was held June 28- [...]

Makhmalbaf Speaks About the Future of Iran’s Democratic Movement

Jujunaz — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:32:39 +0000

By Julie Jigsawnovich On July 9th, 2009 Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf spoke about Mir Hossein Mousavi and Iran’s Democratic Movement during a conference call hosted by The Huffington Post and Where Is My Vote?-NY. July 9th marked the 10th anniversary of the 1999 “18th of Tir” protests in Iran, during which students protesting the closing of the reformist [...]

Michael Jackson Memorial: Shaheen Jafargholi Sings “Who’s Lovin’ You”

Jujunaz — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:34:42 +0000

Check out Mr. Cutie-patootie himself: Britain’s Got Talent alum, Shaheen Jafargholi as he sings “Who’s Lovin’ You” at the Michael Jackson Memorial. The half-Iranian 12-year-old covered one of the Jackson 5’s many hits, alongside other stars in attendance who performed like Jennifer Hudson and Usher.

Survey: NIAC Wants Your Opinion on U.S. Response to Iran

Jujunaz — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:39:33 +0000

The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) is surveying Iranian Americans as well as the broader American public to get a better understanding on where people stand on the Iran issue in the aftermath of the elections. Non-NIAC members are encouraged to participate as well, with the understanding that membership views will naturally take precedent in [...]

Solidarity: U2 Shows Support for Iranian People

Jujunaz — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:44:15 +0000

Philanthro-artists, the legendary musicians known as U2 show their support for the Iranian people at a concert on July 2nd, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain while singing their song: Sunday Bloody Sunday. Flashing the now-symbolic color of green in solidarity with the Iranian movement, U2 even shares some words (or perhaps a poem) in Farsi with the [...]

Freedom Glory Project: “Freedom, Glory, Be Our Name”

Jujunaz — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:01:31 +0000

You MUST watch this just-released video featuring Raam of HYPERNOVA along with a few other artists whose collaboration has left us speechless. This song was written by Johnny B and performed by: Johnny B (Lead Vocals/Guitar) Ali Eskandarian (Lead Vocals/Guitar) Raam (Lead Vocals) Esfand (Daf/Vocals) Doug Wright (Bass) Shamloo poetry read by Shoja Azari Chorus: Arooj, Roja, Ana, Pooya, Andre Produced By: Freedon Glory [...]

Unity: Kim Kardashian Supports Iranian People

Jujunaz — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:56:19 +0000

While most American celebrities could care less to vocalize any support for the current condition of the Iranian people, Kim Kardashian steps up to show her support for the people of Iran. “I admire the Iranian people for fighting for their freedoms,” writes Kardashian on her official site. The beautiful ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ star who received [...]

Press Release – Iran vs. Iran: A Public Conversation

Jujunaz — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:21:35 +0000

Weigh in, tell us what you think about the momentous events taking place. We have all been following the extraordinary events in Iran with rapt attention, and we are all keen to show our support for the people of Iran in the most visible manner possible. It has become clear that the protracted conflict between voters [...]

Stand By Me: Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Andy Sing for Iranian People!

Jujunaz — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:47:31 +0000

You MUST check out this video and watch Bon Jovi show his support for the people of Iran by singing parts of the song ‘Stand By Me’ in Persian, along with bandmate Richie Sambora and Andy! It’s so nice to see people stand up for one another and… stand by one another when it counts the most!! Bon [...]

Today We Are All Iranian Campaign

Jujunaz — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:18:16 +0000

Check out this video made for the “Today We Are All Iranian Campaign” in solidarity and support of the people in Iran. Speak up! Get involved. Make your own short-videos and let the Iranian people know that they are not alone, and that the world is watching. Click here for details.

Video: Montage of Zahra Rahnavard’s Artwork

Jujunaz — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:58:55 +0000

Rooftops of Tehran: Interview with Iranian-American Author – Mahbod Seraji

Jujunaz — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:21:44 +0000

By Sanaz Khalaj-Santos Washington, DC — Anyone who has seen the aftermath of the Iranian election on the news or online, has been undeniably rocked to their human core by the violent backlash Iranians have received for speaking up and asking for their long-overdue freedom(s). Yet, the original party-people and poets of the world: the Iranians, [...]

Iran Bans Iranian Soccer Stars Who Wore Green Wristbands

Jujunaz — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:39:12 +0000

The Guardian is reportingthat Iranian soccer stars Ali Karimi, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Hosein Ka’abi, and Vahid Hashemian have been “retired” from soccer after wearing green wristbands during their world-qualifier match against South Korea last week. “Most of the players obeyed instructions to remove the [wristbands] at half-time, but Mahdavikia wore his green captain’s armband for the entire match. [...]

Wyclef for Iran: Emergency Concert for the People of Iran

Jujunaz — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:59:40 +0000

Video Campaign: “Today, We Are All Iranian”

Jujunaz — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:47:02 +0000

“Today, We Are All Iranian” – “Emrooz, maa hameh Iraani hasteem“ Click here to follow TWAAI on Twitter. ******************************************************************************** This is NOT a political campaign. This campaign is NOT affiliated with any political or national parties. ******************************************************************************** Here as global citizens interested in expressing our support for the people of Iran – regardless of their political viewpoints - via a grassroots video-campaign. The [...]

Op-Ed: Letter to the People of Iran – “Stay Safe, Stay Strong, and Take Care my Friend”

Jujunaz — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:45:40 +0000

By Persianesque.com reader My dear Iranian friend, I hope you are safe as you read this [letter]. Although the communication from inside Iran has been constrained by the [leaders of your country]. Some brave and clever people have managed to send us some news about the happenings in Iran. Although the news, photos, and vidoes we receive are limited, [...]