It’s normal to reflect on the previous year as the next one draws near. But lately, I’ve found myself thinking more and more about previous ones, specifically: How this year compares to others. Movie-wise that is. 2015 was the first … Continue reading 2015: Come and See
In March of 2010, famed Iranian director, Jafar Panahi (The White Balloon, The Mirror, Offside), was arrested along with his wife, daughter and 15 friends. Later that year, they were officially charged for “colluding with the intention to commit crimes … Continue reading TAXI
The Battered Bastards of Baseball – Next week is All-Star Week where the best of the National League and American League will take a break from a grueling and long season to play a game, that has some impact on the outcome, but is by and large for fun. The Battered Bastards of Baseball looks back to a time when baseball was a whole lot of fun and money didn’t pollute and convolute everything. How could it? There was none of it to go around! The story of Portland’s Mavericks and Bing Russell, directed by Chapman Russell Way and Maclain … Continue reading Movie Beat – 07.11.14
“If we could tell a film, why make a film?” –Jafar Panahi Continue reading Born On This Day – July 11, 1960
“All said, despite all the injustice done to me, I, Jafar Panahi, declare once again that I am an Iranian, I am staying in my country and I like to work in my own country. I love my country, I have paid a price for this love too, and I am willing to pay again if necessary. I have yet another declaration to add to the first one. As shown in my films, I declare that I believe in the right of ‘the other’ to be different, I believe in mutual understanding and respect, as well as in tolerance; the … Continue reading In Their Words – Thursday, July 11, 2013
“When a filmmaker does not make films it is as if he is jailed. Even when he is freed from the small jail, he finds himself wandering in a larger jail. The main question is: why should it be a crime to make a movie? A finished film, well, it can get banned but not the director.” -Jafar Panahi Continue reading In Their Words – Friday, November 15, 2012
