Synopsis – A wealthy Iranian family struggles to contain a teenager’s growing sexual rebellion and her brother’s dangerous obsession.

Maryam Keshavarz (born in New York, United States) is an Iranian-American filmmaker.

Circumstance
Run time: 105 min. | U.S.A., Iran, Lebanon | Language: Farsi with English subtitles | color

Teenagers Atafeh, and her best friend, Shireen, are experimenting with their burgeoning sexuality amidst the subculture of Tehran’s underground art scene when Atafeh’s brother, Mehran, returns home from drug rehab as the prodigal son.

Battling his demons, Mehran vehemently renounces his former life as a classical musician and joins the morality police. He disapproves of his sister’s developing intimate relationship with Shireen and becomes obsessed with saving Shireen from Atafeh’s influence. Suddenly, the two siblings, who were close confidants, are entangled in a triangle of suspense, surveillance, and betrayal as the once-liberal haven of the family home becomes a place of danger for the beautiful Atafeh.

Splendidly constructed and saturated with a sumptuous sense of style and sensuality, Circumstance marks the arrival of an exciting, original talent. First-time feature writer/director Maryam Keshavarz registers a rare glimpse of forbidden love in today’s Iranian youth culture.

.

Director:                   Maryam Keshavarz
Screenwriter:           Maryam Keshavarz
Cast:                        Nikohl Boosheri, Sarah Kazemy, Reza Sixo Safai, Soheil Parsa, Nasrin Pakkho, Sina Amedson, Keon Mohajeri

.
Producer:                 Karin Chien, Maryam Keshavarz, Melissa M. Lee
Composer:               Gingger Shankar
Cinematographer:    Brian Rigney Hubbard
Editor:                     Andrea Chignoli
Coproducer:             Antonin Dedet

.

Click here to view the embedded video.

.

About Maryam Keshavarz

Maryam Keshavarz studied Persian literature at the University of Shiraz before turning to filmmaking. She has a B.A. in literature and women’s studies from Northwestern University and a master’s in Near Eastern studies from the University of Michigan.

Maryam Keshavarz worked closely with Sundance Institute staff and industry mentors to shepherd drafts into scripts, scripts into films, and films into Festival-worthy features.

Maryam Keshavarz

..

Source: 2011 Sundance Film Festival

Related Posts:

1. Payvand’s top 20 News stories of 2011
2. 3rd Annual Iranian Film Festival – San Francisco: September 18-19, 2010

Henna Art Gallery is pleased to present the Works of four Young Iranian women: Mina Anooshei, Mahsa Tehrani, Naeeme Naeemaee and Elham Sadeghi. Their paintings reflect their own personal lives while being deeply poetic and internal.

Through their works, they have tried to redefine the modern image of woman and feminism by reinventing traditional paintings with symbols of the modernity.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

______________________________________________

.

Henna Art Gallery

Henna Art Gallery on Facebook

Related Posts:

1. Art Gallery: Cocoon, Abstract Human Body by Laleh Ardestani
2. Art Gallery: Contemporary Persian Calligraphy by Fereydoun Omidi

Her first collection of intricately designed pieces defined and set the pace for the now highly covetable KEEMIA signature aesthetic. The KEEMIA woman is feminine, at ease with herself, and chic.

Following her first show, KEEMIA’s collections have continued to gather momentum, cementing her reputation as one of Los Angeles’ leading up-and-coming designer talents.

Based in Los Angeles and New York, the KEEMIA collection is presently available in a number of specialty boutiques in the United States and abroad.

Samples of spring 2011 collection

Alexis- Isabelline white silk organza strapless sweetheart neck dress with lace and crystal jewel neckline - $$$

.

Chloe - Carolina blue embellished re-embroidered lace bodice and short tulip tiered skirt - $$$

.

Desire - Azure blue silk organza strapless dress with lace detail and short tiered ostrich feather skirt - $$$

.

Havanna - Silver embellished re-embroidered silk chiffon and sequence strapless natural waist gown with train - $$$$

.

Jackie - Black silk satin organza strapless drop waist dress with removable tulle belt detail and short tiered ostrich feather skirt - $$$$

.

Julia - Isabelline white strapless dress with hand tufted bodice, tiered and crystal embroidered belt - $$

.

leila - Isabelline white embellished drop waist silk chiffon and sheath dress with low v-back and lace and crystal detail - $$$

.

Olivia- Carolina blue velvet embroidered strapless sweetheart hi-low chiffon gown - $$$

.

Rosallyn - Persian pink silk organza and lace strapless dress with rose embroidered bodice and tulip tiered skirt

.

Stacey - french rose pink silk organza strapless sweetheart neck dress with one shoulder - $$$

.

Keemia Ferasat

Source: keemia.com

Related Posts:

1. British-Iranian Mia Jafari’s debut scarf collection
2. What’s your Iranian-American object portraiture?

Iranian women received medals in Wushu, Shooting, Taekwondo, Kabaddi, Karate, and Rowing.

The real number one spot for the games goes to Chiness women who represented 47.5% of the China’s 960 member team for the Asian games and these women won close to 56% (or 221) of China’s medal count, more medals than any national team from any country. This is despite the fact that there are about 20% less women events than for men.

The bottom spot goes to Saudi Arabia for the decision not to send woman athletes. After all, they won a seat to the Board of UN Women agency which seeks to promote the Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

.

.

Khadijeh Azadpou - Women's Sanshou 60kg - Gold

.

Khadijeh Azadpou - Women's Sanshou 60kg - Gold

.

Khadijeh Azadpou - Women's Sanshou 60kg - Gold

.

Khadijeh Azadpou - Women's Sanshou 60kg - Gold

.

Elaheh Ahmadi - Shooting - 2 Silver and 1 Bronze

.

Jambozorg Mahlagha, Talebi Maryam, Ahmadi Elaheh - Shooting - Silver

.

Iran's Kabaddi team

.

Malihe Miri - Kabaddi - Bronze

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Sara Khosh Jamal Fekry - Women's Under 46kg - Bronze

.

Leila Ebrahimy Mojavery - women 1,500m

.

Leyla Rajabi - shot put

.

Samira Malekipour - Karate 68kg-category - Bronze

.

Maryam Toosi - 100m heat

.

Niloufar Mardani - Roller Sports 10000m

.

Parisa Farshid - under 67kg taekwondo - Silver

.

Rowing team - Bronze

.

Sepideh Tavakoly Nik - high jump

.

Photos: ISNA, MEHR, FARS

Related Posts:

1. Cartoons: Iranian women in Metro by Elham Ataei Azar
2. Art Gallery: Works of four young Iranian women titled Closed

Social institutions that have been around for thousands of years generally change slowly, when they change at all. But that’s not the way things have been playing out with marriage and family since the middle of the 20th Century.

This Pew Research Center report, done in association with TIME, sets out to illuminate these changes by using two complementary research methodologies: a nationwide survey of 2,691 adults we conducted from Oct.1-21, 2010; and our analysis of a half century of demographic and economic data, drawn mainly from the U.S. Census.

The transformative trends of the past 50 years that have led to a sharp decline in marriage and a rise of new family forms have been shaped by attitudes and behaviors that differ by class, age and race.

Here is a summary of the key findings of the report:

• The Class-Based Decline in Marriage. About half (52%) of all adults in this country were married in 2008; back in 1960, seven-in-ten (72%) were.

• Is Marriage Becoming Obsolete? Nearly four-in-ten survey respondents (39%) say that it is; in 1978 when Time magazine posed this question to registered voters, just 28% agreed.

• An Ambivalent Public. The public’s response to changing marital norms and family forms reflects a mix of acceptance and unease.

• Group Differences. Where people stand on the various changes in marriage and family life depends to some degree on who they are and how they live.

• The Resilience of Families. The decline of marriage has not knocked family life off its pedestal. Three quarters of all adults (76%) say their family is the most important element of their life.

• The Definition of Family. By emphatic margins, the public does not see marriage as the only path to family formation. Fully 86% say a single parent and child constitute a family; nearly as many (80%) say an unmarried couple living together with a child is a family; and 63% say a gay or lesbian couple raising a child is a family.

• The Ties that Bind. In response to a question about whom they would assist with money or caregiving in a time of need, Americans express a greater sense of obligation toward relatives—including relatives by way of fractured marriages– than toward best friends.

• Changing Spousal Roles. In the past 50 years, women have reached near parity with men as a share of the workforce and have begun to outpace men in educational attainment. About six-in-ten wives work today, nearly double the share in 1960.

• The Rise of Cohabitation. As marriage has declined, cohabitation (or living together as unmarried partners) has become more widespread, nearly doubling since 1990, according to the Census Bureau.

• The Impact on Children. The share of births to unmarried women has risen dramatically over the past half century, from 5% in 1960 to 41% in 2008.

• In Marriage, Love Trumps Money. Far more married adults say that love (93%), making a lifelong commitment (87%) and companionship (81%) are very important reasons to get married than say the same
about having children (59%) or financial stability (31%).

1- Overview

Over the past 50 years, a quiet revolution has taken place in this country. Decades of demographic, economic and social change have transformed the structure and composition of the American family.

.

.

.

Attitudes about changing families also differ significantly by age. Younger Americans are much more open to the changes and more tolerant of alternative arrangements.

2- Marriage

About four-in-ten Americans think that marriage is on the rocks. No, not their marriage. The institution of marriage.

.

.

.

3- Family

What defines a family? The portrait of the American family circa 2010 starts where it always has—with mom, pop and the kids. But the family album now also includes other ensembles. For example, most Americans say a single parent raising a child is a family. They also say that parents don’t have to be married to be a family, nor do they have to be of the opposite sex.

.

4- Children

Children in America are growing up in a much more diverse set of living arrangements than they did a half century ago. In 1960, nearly nine-in-ten children under age 18 resided with two married parents (87%); by 2008, that share had dropped to 64%. Over the same period, the percentage of children born to unmarried
women rose eightfold, from 5% to 41%.

.

5- New Family Types

Americans view the sweeping changes in family arrangements that have occurred over the past half century with a mixture of acceptance and unease.

.

.

.

.

Source: pewsocialtrends.org, and link to the complete report

About Pew Research Center

The Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends project studies behaviors and attitudes of Americans in key realms of their lives, including family, community, health, finance, work and leisure. The project explores these topics by combining original public opinion survey research with social, economic and demographic data analysis.

Related Posts:

1. Graphs: Iran in UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic 2010
2. UN’s Human Development Report 2010 – Iran Ranks 70 out of 169

In Iran the publication of some cartoons has led to the closure of several newspapers and the prosecution and imprisonment of their cartoonists. The existing restrictions and the absence of any tolerance towards criticism have made the occupation of cartoonists precarious and rather risky. Many talented cartoonists have moved abroad where they continue their work successfully.

Amongst those still in Iran, the number of professional women cartoonists in particular is few and far between. One of these exceptions is Firouzeh Mozaffari whose cartoons are frequently published in newspapers and magazines these days. Her work has been acclaimed both inside and outside Iran. A German art critic wrote about her last year: “The satirical depiction of social issues and situations has always been one of the favourite subjects of cartoonists in the Iranian press. Firouzeh Mozaffari focuses on this theme with a wry sense of humour, great wit and sharp satire, highlighting social foibles and idiosyncrasies, and mocking those responsible.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Firouzeh Mozaffari was the winner of the ‘Persian Cartoon’ of the year, has been awarded several prizes for the best cartoons on the environment and traffic, and has won the press and the Book Festival’s awards in Iran. In this multimedia report, Firouzeh Mozaffari talks about her experience as a cartoonist, her motivations and style of work, whilst showing us some of her colourful, amusing and witty cartoons.

.

.

.

Sources: jadidonline and persiancartoon

Related Posts:

1. Top cartoons in the first international Contest about books in Iran
2. Face of 5000 year old Iranian woman reconstructed

For Neda

Written, directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker Antony Thomas, For Neda is the story of Neda Agha-Soltan whose tragic death on June 20, 2009 came to symbolize for many the struggle in Iran.

Filming without official aproval and at great risk, Iranian journalist Saeed Kamali Dehghan worked secretly inside Iran to locate and film interviews with Neda’s family for the first time, while Thomas interviewed current exiles, including a friend of hers from her university days and Arash Hejazi, the doctor who was at Neda’s side when she was shot and who held her as she died. For Neda also includes videos, photos, private diaries and letters supplied by her family.

http://www.hbo.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

For Neda tells the personal story of Neda Agha-Soltan who became the iconic symbol of Iran’s 2009 post-election protests and struggle.

Silenced By Dylan_Murphy

Remember Neda (Angel of Iran) By Nastassia A. Davis

Solidarity by Kolnstyle

Neda by Maryam Aghdami

Peace by Tira M Photography

UN General Assembly protests by Dina Regine

Journée internationale pour l'Iran au Trocadéro by looking4poetry

Related Posts:

1. The Green Team: Iranian Opposition’s Heavy Hitters
2. Michelle Montezeri’s Freedom For Iran Original Song – Change

There was a time, following the military coup of 1920 when women were forced not to wear Hijab. Here are a few photographs from the first half of the twentieth century, the rise of industrial era in Iran.

.

.

__________________________________________________________________________

You may find many more photos from that era in Portrait Photographs From Isfahan.

Related Posts:

1. Payvand’s top 10 News stories of 2010
2. Iran and Global scientific collaboration in the 21st century

First Place: $5,000
Second Place: $3,000
Third Place: $2,000

Applications must be post-marked by May 1, 2010

At the Unique Zan Foundation our mission is to promote health, literacy and peace for women in and from the Middle East. As part of that effort, and in collaboration with the Iranian-American Scholarship Fund (www.iasfund.org), we are pleased to announce our third annual essay competition for Iranian women graduate and undergraduate students at major universities and accredited educational institutes in the United States.

Applicants must be enrolled as students at the time of submission and at the time awards are announced. Awards will be made through the university where the student is enrolled. Students who are transitioning from undergraduate to graduate education are eligible. Non-students are not eligible to apply.

This year’s essay theme is: “Unique Iranian Women in History: Drawing Inspiration from the Past.”

Applicants’ essays should focus on any unique and inspiring Iranian woman in history and how her life, and overcoming the challenges of her time, is relevant to today. The essay should address: the woman’s life and work, the social environment in which she was raised, what was ground-breaking about her work, how she overcame obstacles to forge new pathways relevant not only to women but also to others in her field, how she provides inspiration to women today, and how she also provides inspiration to the author, herself.

The “unique woman in Iranian history” can be a writer, poet, musician/singer, physician, scientist, scholar, politician, artist, activist, or any other profession of the author’s choosing, but she must be a prominent figure in her field. The author must also demonstrate detailed knowledge of her subjects’ work; for example, if choosing a poet include her poetry in the essay and discuss its relevance to both then and now. The “unique woman in Iranian history” must be someone who is not currently living, so Forough Farokhzad is fine but Shirin Ebadi is not.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Essay Format:
Essays should be between 5000 and 6000 words (approximately 16-18 pages, double spaced, 12 point “Times New Roman” font, with 1.5 inch margins), and be stapled in the upper left-hand corner. Report binders should not be used. Only the title page and first page of the essay should contain the author’s name. All other pages must be numbered in the lower right hand corner and contain first and last initial only in the upper right header.

While higher grade point average will be considered a bonus, the main emphasis is on applicants who exhibit exceptional writing skills and a compelling story. A copy of recent transcripts should be included with your essay. Essays should not have been previously published in any other publication or on the internet, but must be of publishable quality. Unique Zan Foundation will retain first rights of refusal for publication, but publication is not guaranteed. All submissions become the property of Unique Zan Foundation.

These essays will be reviewed by a qualified panel of academic experts. Awards will be given by The Unique Zan Foundation through the Iranian-American Scholarship Fund in the following amounts:

First Place: $5,000
Second Place: $3,000
Third Place: $2,000

All applications must include:

1.    Four hard copies of your essay in proper format,
2.    A brief cover-letter with name, contact information (including email and telephone), university attending, and explaining course of study and why applying for this award,
3.    One letter of recommendation from professor,
4.    One copy of recent college transcripts.
5.    One copy of essay and cover-letter sent by email to info@uniquezanfoundation.org.

Applications must be post-marked by May 1, 2010 and sent to the
following address:

Unique Zan Foundation
PO Box 1257
Menlo Park, CA 94026

http://www.uniquezanfoundation.org

Related Posts:

1. The Golha Project: Digital Archiving of Flowers of Persian Poetry and Song
2. UCLA Film & Television Archive: 20th Annual Celebration of Iranian Cinema

Iran Profile and Highlights

Click here to view the embedded video.

Link to complete PDF report

Related Posts:

1. Global Gender Gap Index 2010 – Iran ranks 123 out of 134
2. Iran on top of 2009 Global Restriction on Religion Report