In the News: The Latest on ITVS Programs

CNN Reporter Octavia Nasr reports on Independent Lens’s ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING, a film that explores the tensions between Iran and the United States.
Watch the full report >>

Filmmaker Marjan Tehrani and her brother Alex Tehrani discuss the Independent Lens broadcast of ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING.
Listen to the interview >>

“Karen Skloss says she never meant to tell her own story when she started making her new documentary, SUNSHINE, which will have its world premiere at the South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival. … Skloss received grants to make SUNSHINE from the Independent Television Service and KUHT-TV in Houston.”
Read more >>

Lois Vossen, vice president and Independent Lens series producer, discusses ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING. Watch the clip below:

Tags: Iran, SXSW, Wedding

Watch ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING Tonight on Independent Lens

Tonight, tune in and watch ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING at 10:00 PM on Independent Lens on PBS (check local listings).

Set against the turbulent relationship between the United States and Iran, Iranian-American filmmaker Marjan Tehrani captures the struggle and excitement of her brother Alex and his bride Heather as they plan a Persian Islamic wedding in Iran. But when Alex’s Iranian-born parents and Heather’s conservative American father meet for the first time, cultures clash and test the couple to their limits.

Modern Iranian Online Magazine: “In ARUSI: PERSIAN WEDDING, the brilliant indie-filmmaker gives people outside of Iran a close and insightful look into the country and its people.”

Check out the trailer below:

When Heather’s parents meet Alex’s Dad and stepmother over dinner, their friendly conversation quickly escalates into a heated debate about politics and international diplomacy. Check out the clip below from tonight’s broadcast.

Tags: Iran, online video, Wedding

Flickr Group: Ethnic Weddings

We are currently seeking photos of ethnic weddings to be part of a photo slide show in support of our upcoming broadcast of ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING, premiering Tuesday, March 17 at 10:00 PM on Independent Lens on PBS (check local listings).

Set against the turbulent relationship between the United States and Iran, Iranian-American filmmaker Marjan Tehrani captures the struggle and excitement of her brother Alex and his bride Heather as they plan a Persian Islamic wedding in Iran. But when Alex’s Iranian-born parents and Heather’s conservative American father meet for the first time, cultures clash and test the couple to their limits.

From Morocco’s noisy precessions to Bali’s timeless beauty, view colorful images of ethnic weddings, inspired by ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING, in this month’s Your Lens Flickr Group.

View the slide show and add your own images >>

Tags: international, Iran, Wedding

In the News: The Latest on ITVS Programs

“A few years ago, Bay Area filmmaker Dawn Logsdon learned a valuable double-barreled lesson: 1. Sometimes the best ideas for a documentary project can be found right in your former backyard. 2. Never overlook the teachings of a parent. The result of that knowledge is FAUBOURG TREMÉ: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans, a moving and revelatory film…”
Read full review >>

“In her latest documentary, ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING, Tehrani brings to life the love-hate relationship between her parents’ countries.”
Read full review >>

“Independent filmmaker Margaret Brown wins the Truer Than Fiction Award at the Independent’s Spirit Awards for her film THE ORDER OF MYTHS, airing Feb. 24 on Independent Lens on PBS.”
Read more >>

“THE ORDER OF MYTHS: Margaret Brown does a deft job both presenting the history of the country’s oldest Mardi Gras celebration while vividly pointing out the enduring segregation between the city’s white and black social events.”
Read more >>

Tags: Mardi Gras, newspaper reviews, Wedding

The Chicago Cultural Center Presents ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING

A full house at the Chicago Cultural Center for the Community Cinema Screening of ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING.

It was a full house at the Chicago Cultural Center this past weekend at the Community Cinema screening of ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING, co-presented by Pasfarda Arts & Cultural Exchange, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and WTTW Channel 11.

Set against the turbulent relationship between the United States and Iran, Iranian-American filmmaker Marjan Tehrani captures the struggle and excitement of her brother Alex and his bride Heather as they plan a Persian Islamic wedding in Iran.

Many of the people in attendance were Iranian-Americans and very eager to discuss the various cross-cultural issues in the film with other Americans and share stories of their unique and common experiences.

It was truly amazing to see the film with an audience! One scene that particularly stuck out was when the parents of the bride and groom meet for the first time and the conversation turns towards politics. When Alex and Marjan’s father attempts to diffuse the tension by offering more food and wine, the audience erupted with laugher. The film’s approach of weaving tension and humor, travel footage with history and photojournalism into the documentary made it easy for anyone to understand the complex story and culture of Iran.

The panel discussion that followed was both cathartic and informative. Panelists included filmmaker Mehrnaz Saeed-Vafa, who taught in Tehran prior to moving to the United States in 1983; graduate student Aria Moazzen, who grew up in the United States and neither he nor his family have returned to Iran since leaving; University of Illinois at Chicago professor Norma Moruzzi, who is also an “arus” (bride), having married an Iranian and has spent time in Iran.

The panelists cleared up some of the misconceptions some Americans have about life in Iran. One attendee expressed surprise to see so many women in the film not wearing headscarves. Professor Moruzzi, who has written extensively about the topic, explained the wide variety of viewpoints and religious practice that coexist peacefully in Iran.

The event ended with many audience members wanting to continue the conversation. It was at least another hour of excited discussion in the reception area before the Cultural Center staff could turn out the lights!

Afterwards, I had a chance to speak with Shermin Kruse, co-founder and vice president of Pasfarda Arts & Culture Exchange, about her experience as an Iranian-American and what resonated with her about the film. Check out the video below.

- Naomi Walker, ITVS Regional Outreach Coordinator, Chicago

Tags: Chicago, Iran, online video, Wedding

San Francisco Public Library Presents ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING

A crowd gathers for a screening of ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING at the San Francisco Public Library.

Filmmaker Marjan Tehrani with her father and stepmother, who both appear in her film.

Last night I had the opportunity to show my film ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING in San Francisco. The film chronicles my brother Alex’s return to Iran with his American wife Heather to have a traditional Persian wedding.

This was the first Community Cinema screening that I attended and it was incredible to return to my hometown for this experience. The room was packed with many familiar faces but most notably, an overwhelming amount of Iranian-Americans in attendance. Though the film has many universal themes––such as being of mixed identity or in a multi-cultural marriage––it was amazing to see the Iranian-American crowd take in the small nuances of the film that others missed when the film screened in other art house venues around the country.

I also had the unique experience of seeing the film with some of my family in the audience––my father and stepmother were both there and brought along other extended family members. Although they have seen the film, it was the first time that I have screened it with them amongst an audience. For me, this was an interesting experience because not only is this film really personal on many levels, but there is a very tense scene where Heather’s father and his wife meet my father and his wife for the first time. The cordial dinner meeting quickly turns from polite to not so polite as the focus of the conversation shifts to Iran/U.S. past and current politics. This is one of the most important scenes of the film for me that clearly shows the tensions that exist between Americans and Iranians today and allowed me to weave archival history into the film in a seamless manner. However, it was quite an experience to be in the room with my family and others while this was playing! The audience was very much a part of this intimate scene as they laughed and verbally let out signs of discomfort.

All in all, last night was a really special experience for me. After the last several years of putting this film together, I really felt like people in the audience got the subtle nuances that I was hoping to get across about being of mixed identity and carrying the weight of two countries in political turmoil. Iranians seemed to appreciate being able to connect with parts of Iran that they fondly remember and Americans seemed to appreciate being invited along on this intimate journey with Alex and Heather to experience Iran through their own eyes. My hope is that people left the screening with a slightly different perspective of Iran than they walked in with and that this will contribute to paving the way for improved relations between Iran and the United States.

-Marjan Tehrani, filmmaker of ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING, premiering Tuesday, March 17 at 10:00 PM on Independent Lens on PBS (check local listings)

Check out upcoming Community Cinema events in your area >>

Tags: Iran, San Francisco, Wedding