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.

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

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

Regarding Shirin Ebadi Talk at Chicago Foundation for Women

During the summer Chicago Foundation for Women announced that Peace Noble laureate Dr. Shirin Ebadi would be the main speaker at its annual luncheon and symposium on September 11, 2007. As it is customary of such events tickets were offered to the public. The usual communication networks also informed Iranian community in Chicago about the event. However on September 4th there was a press release that Shirin Ebadi would not be attending this event. It reads:

“Iranian Human Rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Shirin Ebadi was originally scheduled to appear but the government of Iran has refused to let her leave the country.”

Instead Activist and comedic actor Kathy Najimy will be the foundation annual luncheon speaker. As someone who reads Farsi and follows the news on the both sides of the hills, I must admit there was not any piece of news regarding Iranian government refusing to let Dr. Shirin Ebadi leave the country. By this I mean that there was nothing about it on numerous websites and weblogs. I have checked BBC Persian, Gooya.com and Balatarin.com as well as some individual websites and Dr. Ebadi’s own website. There is no mention of such travel ban.

On the very same day of this press release, September 4th, Washington Post ran a story on Parnaz Azima Radio Farda’s reporter in Iran whose lawyer is Dr. Ebadi. Dr. Ebadi was cited saying that government has returned Ms. Azima’s passport and she is free to leave. Dr. Ebadi has a very heavy schedule. Just recently she invited United Nations to send an envoy to Tehran to probe women’s rights in the country. She has been involved in numerous cases that demand a great deal of her time. Certainly not everyone in Iranian government is thrilled about her and her activities. However the only place that reports that she has been banned from leaving country is Chicago Foundation for Women. I find it very hard to believe that there is such a ban.