Culture

Al-Monitor — Iran’s numerous tourist attractions, many of which stem from its rich history and civilization going back thousands of years, have the potential to transform into revenue streams far more sustainable than the country’s vast oil and natural gas reserves. But this potential has remained largely untapped due to unyielding restrictions that deprive visitors of a number of basic …

Radiofarda – Several famous Iranian actors and actresses say they will not attend the president’s iftar (breaking fast) ceremony that will take place on Wednesday, May 30. Using the Farsi hashtag “we do not go to Iftar”, the protesting movie stars said on their social media pages that they will reject Hassan Rouhani’s invitation due to political, social, and economic …

RFL/RE – Celebrated Iranian actor and director Nasser Malek Motiee was under a media ban for nearly 40 years, and it wasn’t lifted until he was 6 feet under.

Radiofarda – Paying homage to a pre-revolution superstar in Tehran turned into a large and noisy protest against the ruling establishment on Sunday, May 27.

Iran-HRM – A funeral ceremony for the renowned Iranian actor, Naser Malek Motiei turned violent on Sunday, after security forces attacked the demonstrators. Security forces shot into the air and the state police fired tear gas to repulse the hundreds of demonstrators. Videos show motorcycle units of regime security forces driving into the demonstrators as scenes become intense. Naser Malek …

PayvandNews – Iranian actor Nasser Malakmotiei who appeared in over 100 movies and TV series, in most of which he played the roles of virile characters, died at Tehran’s Aatieh Hospital on Friday night, he was 88.  He was suffering from a kidney disorder, Persian media outlets announced.

Radiofarda – Iranian security forces on Friday May 25 prevented the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Writers Association, the oldest and most prestigious trade union for Iranian writers.  Upholding human rights, organizing Iranian writers and campaigning against censorship are the focal points of the Iranian Writers Association’s activities.

RFL/RE – A new film by Iranian director Jafar Panahi, who is banned from leaving Iran, has premiered to a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.

Radiofarda – Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi’s psychological thriller has played at the opening of the Cannes Film Festival while other Iranian, Russian, and Kazakh films were in the running for the festival’s coveted Palme d’Or award. Starring Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, Todos Lo Saben (Everybody Knows) is Farhadi’s first movie in Spanish and the first Spanish-language movie to …

RFL/RE – Films by directors from Iran, Russia, and Kazakhstan will be among the productions competing for the top award when the famed Cannes Film Festival opens on May 8 in France.