A Panel Discussion on Iran at Loyola

Averting Another Catastrophe
The Folly Of An Attack On Iran

A panel discussion with
Mansour Farhang
Stephen Kinzer
Elahe Amani

Saturday December 8th
2:00 PM

Loyola University
Lake Shore Campus

Damen Hall, Room 144
1/2 block north of Devon & Kenmore

Stephen Kinzer, a veteran foreign correspondent for the New York Times, has reported from more than 50 countries and served as the paper's bureau chief in Turkey, Germany, and Nicaragua. He is the author of Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq, All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror, Crescent and Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds, Blood of Brothers: Life and War in Nicaragua, Bitter Fruit: The Story of the American Coup in Guatemala, and the forthcoming A Thousand Hills: Rwanda's Rebirth and the Man Who Dreamed It. A frequent contributor to the New York Review of Books, he is a columnist for Guardian America and teaches journalism and international affairs at Northwestern University .

Mansour Farhang teaches International Relations and Middle East studies at Bennington College in Vermont. He is the author of U.S. Imperialism: From the Spanish-American War to the Iranian Revolution, The U.S. Press and Iran: Foreign Policy and the Journalism of Deference , and the forthcoming A Theology in Power: Reflections on the Iranian Revolution. He was Iran 's Ambassador to the United Nations in 1979-1980, a post from which he resigned in protest over Ayatollah Khomeini's refusal to accept the UN Commission of Inquiry's recommendation to release the U.S. hostages. He is a frequent commentator on U.S.-Iran relations for the BBC Persian Service and is an advisory board member of Human Rights Watch/Middle East. His work has appeared in The Nation, openDemocracy, the Christian Science Monitor, and many other publications.

Elahe Amani has taught courses on global women's movements and women in cross-cultural perspective at the California State University (CSU), Long Beach and Fullerton . She is chair of the Coalition of Women from Asia and the Middle East (CWAME) and chair of the Women's Intercultural Network, a global organization with grassroots circles in Uganda , Japan and Afghanistan. A peacemaker and trained mediator, she works closely on issues related to gender, culture and mediation. She participated in the World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 and has published extensively in both Persian and English on issues related to global women's movements, peace, and the plight of Iranian and Afghan women.

Stephen Kinzer on Iran & Turkey

Stephen Kinzer at University of Chicago:

Iran and Turkey: Rising Powers in the New Middle East.

Best-selling author Stephen Kinzer (All the Shah's Men) speaks on Iran and Turkey: Rising Powers in the New Middle East.
November 15, 2007
7:00pm
International House, University of Chicago
1414 East 59th Street, Chicago, 60637
Phone: 773-752-2274 - Event is free and open to all.

18th Annual Festival of Films from Iran

http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/

The Gene Siskel Film Center welcomes you to the 18th Annual Festival of Films from Iran, October 6 through November 5. This year's festival represents an exceptionally diverse selection of films, from new work by major directors to popular comedies rarely seen outside of Iran. All fourteen films are Chicago premieres; eight of them are U.S. premieres.

The enjoyable omnibus film PERSIAN CARPET provides a survey of the artistic range of Iranian cinema in miniature through fifteen shorts, all around the theme of the carpet, by directors including Abbas Kiarostami, Bahman Farmanara, Jafar Panahi, Majid Majidi, Dariush Mehrjui, Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, and many more. Films distinguished by awards and critical accolades at major film festivals worldwide include: HALF MOON, RAAMI, UNFINISHED STORIES, THOSE THREE, and A FEW DAYS LATER. For those who think of Iranian cinema as essentially somber and serious, check out RULE OF THE GAME and DEPORTEES. Unique and personal variations on the documentary include THE RED CARD and 10 + 4.

This year we initiate a series of mini-discussions following selected Saturday evening screenings, moderated by well-known authorities on Iranian cinema. Director Amir Hamz appears in person with his film SOUNDS OF SILENCE on October 27 and 28. Meet the director following the show on October 27, at a free reception sponsored by Pasfarda Arts & Cultural Exchange.
The Gene Siskel Film Center thanks the many individuals, companies, and agencies in Iran and in the U.S. whose invaluable efforts, good will and support have made this year's festival possible. .... See more here: http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/

and some events community organized: www.ChicagoPersians.com

Chicago Marathon

In an unbelievable heat Chicago runners started their annual Marathon. It started like this:


And ended after runners made to 20 Miles -33K point, only 6 miles left. Many were disappointed and angry. The heat was predicted, the question is why it was not canceled earlier and why it canceled when many were only an hour away from the finish line:

Photos are taken by the author.

FILM PREMIERE: Iran: Seven Faces of a Civilization

University of Chicago Oriental Institute Presents:

Event: FILM PREMIERE:

Iran: Seven Faces of a Civilization,

A Membership and Public Event
Date: 10/7/2007
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Oriental Institute, Breasted HallContact
Phone: 773-702-9507
Email: oi-education@uchicago.edu

Categories: Films, Lectures/Symposia/Performances

Description:
Join us for the United States premiere of a major new documentary that uses the latest technology to showcase the celebrated art and architecture of Iran over 7,000 years of history. Produced by the makers of Persepolis Recreated, this film features spectacular graphic reconstructions superimposed on images of actual architectural remains. Don’t miss this cinematic adventure that brilliantly recaptures the ancient treasures of Iran in ways never possible before. Farzin Rezaeian, the fllm’s director, will be with us to discussion the production and its companion book, which will be available for purchase at the event. This film premiere is co-sponsored by the Oriental Institute Membership Office and the Museum Education office.
Reception to follow film screening.
Free Admission. No registration required.
This film is shown in conjunction with Chicago Science in the City 2007, a citywide initiative sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. Persons with disabilities who need an accommodation in order to participate in this event should contact the event sponsor for assistance.
Related Sites: Oriental Institute Membership

Highly Recommended Ones!

Axis of Evil Comedy show was in Chicago last night. The troops included Maz Jobrani, Ahmed Ahmed, Aron Kader, Din Obeidollah and Sharif from Dayton, Ohio. These 5 comedians with Middle Eastern backgrounds put on a fabulous show.

What I found most interesting was the way these comedians have been able to build a bridge between different cultures. Din and Aron have grown up in the mixed families; their fathers are Palestinian and their moms American. Maz and Ahmed have been living in the States for the most of their lives. They all understand the cultures at the both ends of the gap. They use the differences, the typos and the generalizations to make one laugh.

The uniqueness of their show rests in their ability to talk comfortably about rather serious concepts in non-political way. The interesting part of their act is that their jokes are not limited to the Middle East. They say a few things about America, like any other Normal Average American comedian. They also are able to make a connection between different perspectives to highlight the common ground, the common likes and dislikes.

They made fun of everyone, from President Bush to Average Muslim guy in Dubai. Their audience was as mixed. There were all sort of the Middle East oriented ethnic groups as well as many Americans and African Americans in the audience. Comedians used this opportunity to talk about how it feels to be an Arab-American or Iranian-American in post 9-11 era. Audience loved their jokes and laughed loud at many of them. Particularly an explosion of laughter followed Aron’s remarks when he said:

“Religion is the thing. It is everybody’s thing. All religions are considered themselves to be the Chosen One. You do not have a religion who tells you: “we are not the Chosen ones, but we are highly recommended ones… People say a lot of good stuff about us!”

Axis of Evil Comedy show certainly is not a Chosen one, but it is indeed highly recommended to all who can enjoy a good laugh and want to learn about other cultures. I am sure Chicago is looking forward to seeing them again.