Holly Wood...the Tree...

I ended up doing several interviews for the Iranian media. This one fellow had asked if I would do something for TV while at the Film Festival, and Bahram was interpreting.

First question off camera to prepare was..."Tell us about the Holly Trees." I'm looking at Bahram, figuring that somehow this has been translated incorrectly. He then explains the guy wants to know about the Holly Trees and have I ever seen any of these in Hollywood....OK...

I politely explained that there are no Holly Trees in Southern California...and Hollywood was not named after a tree...Bahram translated and the guy eyed me suspiciously with a look of disbelief!

So a moment later with cameras rolling, the first question was..."Tell us about the Holly Trees." This time I went through the history of Hollywoodland, the subdivision that gave Hollywood it's name.

In hindsight...maybe I should have come up with a really good story about the Holly Trees!

Maaasoooouuudiiii!

Our fearless cameraman, Massoud. Scott and I would work with him on his English, and he was amazing! You would say something to him, and he would instantly pick it up. I know some people have a talent for language and he is obviously one of those people...I am not so lucky!

Funny Bahram Story

So during the Film Festival, Bahram was on several TV shows talking about film, Iran, etc. One morning, we went to the bank, after he had been on a popular evening show.

Outside the bank, there was a security guard holding a machine gun. He stopped Bahram and was really excited and happy about what he said on the show. They spoke for a moment, then we went inside the bank.

I sat down in the lobby to wait util he finished his banking business. The guard comes back inside the bank, saw me and came over. he was still VERY excited about what Barham said, and stood there in front of me, smiling and gesticulating wilding with his hands as he spoke.

The machine gun then moved and as he is standing there...it is pointing eye level at me as I am sitting in a chair! Needless to say, that woke me up!

I have NO idea what this guy was saying (in Farsi) but I kept smiling and nodding my head, thinking to myself "Let's hope he does not get too excited and that thing goes off!" After a few minutes, he said goodbye and left.

We were laughing afterwards saying here are the headlines..."American woman shot in bank in Tehran."

The 3 M's...again!

Mellissa, Mina and I at the Film Festival party. It was in this amazing place in Tehran that was a huge garden with fountains. 

Art Market

Then we went after that to the art market, it's in the Souk. Lots of really interesting things. It's rather old, but it has lots of character.

This picture was made from wood inlay, it was beautiful. This piece had a lot of work and was priced at $10,000. It looked like a painting it was so intricate.

Here is one of the Artisans working in her shop. She was making the wood inlay.

This other shop made handmade violings, sitars, and several other Persian stringed instruments I do not know the name of.

Such beautiful things, and the souk smelled of all kinds of spices and incense, very exotic.





Bagh' Saba Synagogue...

Synagogue in the Jewish Neighbohood

 

 

Today Bahram and I went to the Bagh' Saba (Garden of Breezes) Synagogue in Tehran. After ringing the bell and being let in by a tiny little woman, he explained that I was a visitor from US, and I wanted to see the synagogue.

Apparently they had just finished their meeting and the woman took us upstairs to their community room. The young man in the picture with Bahram had gotten married the night before and the party in the community room was a small celebration. He had played music there, but we had just missed it.

 

The new groom

Everyone was SO friendly and excited that I came to visit...it was an amazing moment, as the group all came over to say "Hello" and ask Bahram about who we were and why we came to visit. All these ladies, some young and some really elderly, surrounded me and were laughing and taking my hand and giving me their email and mobile numbers. It was really difficult for me to hold back tears, (and I'm not one who cries much) as the kindness and the energy that was there was overwhelming. The men all came up and greeted me as well.

Then the woman took us to the prayer room, and the crowd came and joined us. They asked if I would like to pray with them...it was really something that I have never experienced before, complete strangers being so open and friendly to me for no reason other than they were just lovely people.

 

 

Prayer room

We were then escorted back downstairs and even though many did not speak English, most knew "Goodbye" and stood outside and waved and said their goodbyes as we left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 3 M's....

This is in Tehran. at a restaurant that is made into a small valley in the mountains. Myself, Melissa and Mina. We had kabobs....

Main Street Boroujerd, Iran

It's very beautiful here and green! The Aria Animation Studios brothers took us on a tour of the city.

Lunch time...

The Iran gang with the Aria Animation Studios guys at my last kebob meal...and the front door view from their animation studio. They had every square inch of space used there, with a motion capture stage, sound, editing, everything to do animation from A to Z.

Death by Kebobs....

Kabob Chef, Boroujerd, Iran

The food was seriously delicious...but I had eaten kabobs for 3 days now....NO more! lol.

Back in Tehran...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boroujerd, Iran

 

 

 

We spent a day in Boroujerd visiting with Aria Animation Studios. They are considered to be the best animation group in Iran, and are owned by 4 brothers. They do some incredible (and amazingly well priced) work and are a great bunch of guys. We left on Monday on the drive to Boroujerd and had the driver from hell...it took seven hours to get there! After a restful night, we spent Tuesday checking out their work and getting a tour of Boroujerd. The brothers brought us some parting gifts, mine was a handmade wool purse from the local artisans (I love these types of things) and a silver colored hand made metal plate which is also the speciality of the area, with my name engraved on it. They are a great bunch and hopefully we can put some projects together with them.

Boroujerd looks like that area of So Cal when you leave Bakersfield on the 5 North, around Los Banos. Lots of hills and farms. A great typical Iranian lunch...the running joke is that I have eaten kabobs for 3 days...anymore kabobs and it will be "death by kabobs." The food is delicious...it is just I don't really eat much meat...MAYBE once a month and now it's constantly. Definitely diet time when I get home....

We were running around Tehran before we left for Boroujerd, it's been rather warm in the 90's and unlike the UAE, not everywhere you go is air conditioned...still not used to that part. Interesting observations, the Iranians mix more than do the Gulf Arabs, at night you see young Iranian women sitting and chatting in groups at cafes with young men. You don't see that much in the UAE, mostly women are with women out in public. The Iranian women are very fashionable and attractive, the entire vibe is one of a major city that is on the go. The sidewalks are all full of pedestrians, and lots of street traffic. The drivers here I believe are worse than the UAE...as roads are not as defined. And these strange little motor bikes they drive...not really motorcycles, but not scooters. You see lots of young men and women riding on them together, another thing you would not see in the UAE. You also don't see a lot of new cars, unlike the UAE, where new, very expensive cars are constantly whizzing past you on the roads. I'm afraid I would not do well driving here...I am already pretty aggressive behind the wheel, but this would bring it to another level!

I have been approached 3 times by people on the street who have heard me speaking to my friends and asked "Where are you from?" No one has yet guessed I am an American, but all three were very excited to hear that I am. I don't wear the abaya here, but have it for formal meetings... when we are out, I wear a long shirt and jeans, with a scarf. Still getting used to that bit, as it tends to slip down, too much hair!

Meetings are interesting here...they go on for hours. You talk, have tea, eat something, then go back to talking. In LA you get very conditioned to speaking, getting it over with and then leave. I keep finding myself thinking, "OK time to go" only to realize that I just have to relax and wait. Also people come and go into the meetings...another thing that is rather unique. It is a little different in the UAE, people are always polite and friendly as well, but I have never eaten a meal in someone's office like I have in Iran. With so many unique and trendy restaurants in the UAE, if you are going to meet over food, you do it in a restaurant. In Iran, they have the meal in their office...then we go back to discussing business. 

More things to discover!

Tehran Wanderings

I am getting the scope of things here a little better...

My hosts, Mellissa and Bahram have a very cool place that the govt. is supporting for them, rather like an "artist in residence" type setup. One flat is where they live, and the other is setup like a small workspace studio/guest house, where I and their other guest, Scott, are staying. Scott is another American, he is writing the screenplay for a film they are shooting in Iran the first of next year and he will be directing it as well.

Yesterday I met with Mr. Montazmi from the film Ministry. He and his office are the sponsors for my trip here. The place itself was interesting, it was built under the Shah's regime, with a beautiful garden in the center...but it was like stepping back in time. The city reminds me a lot of Paris or New York in the outer environs, that type of low rise "city environs" that is mostly built of bricks. LOTS of traffic and you have to dodge traffic crossing the roads, as there are really no designated crossings. Thankfully Bahram did this for me and I just followed him! We walked all over the place, as well as took a bus and a taxi, a great way to see the city. There was a district, which under the Shah, was the nightclub district...now it is lined with lighting shops. 

We went to a Persian restaurant that is built into the side of a mountain for dinner, it had actually rained a little bit before we got there. There is a trail going up the mountain, with a natural creek. All the restaurants and shops are built into the mountain and with the trees and the sound of the creek, it was magical...and the food was really good! Bahram volunteered to go up the trail with me, he is a filmmaker and poet, and he is Sufi. He is the first Sufi I have met and he was kind enough to explain in detail what Sufism is and how his life is governed by Sufism philosophy.

I will be meeting with some women filmmakers this week and will discuss with them the idea of having a Women in Film and Television Chapter in Iran. I think bring lectures and opportunities here would be a plus and a great cultural/information exchange. Our WIFT, UAE Chapter has been successful in its first year and we will soon be coming back online after our Summer break.

Tehran Arrival

Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi left on time and was great...except for the child who decided to scream for 1.5 hours of a one hour and 40 minute flight! Upon my arrival at the airport, I was fingerprinted, which was no big deal, but the people who were escorting me around and doing this spoke almost no English. You get spoiled in the UAE as EVERYONE speaks English and one tends to forget that it's a foreign country But the airport crew were extremely polite, just perplexed as they kept speaking to me in Farsi and I kept answering "What?" 

Today we are out visiting film companies, and Iranian producers. This will be very informative, as the film industry here is quite advanced and has excellent quality.

Abaya and Shayla

This will be interesting, keeping the shayla (scarf) in place is a tough one with lots of curly hair! I figured in the end, this was easier, as we will be out and about a lot, and I can just throw on jeans and a T-shirt under this. The abaya does not do a lot for your figure however...next stop...Tehran!

Packing...

With a little help from my friend! Laptop and all the camera, phone charges etc. in carry on bag. So what did we do before laptops and all the nonsense we end up taking along on trips? Probably spoke to each other more.

I have the Visa...and the ticket!

Leaving Sat at 2 on Etihad from Abu Dhabi. NOW I'm starting to get excited!

The Visa Saga...Next Chapter

Well last week I went AGAIN to the Iranian Consulate in Dubai and this time (my third trip) they took my passport and said to come and collect my visa on Tues. Now I will need to see if the Consulate is open on Tues, as it's Eid Holiday.

Not to worry, as I will be leaving right after I get the visa....I hope!

The Visa Expedition

So last week I went to the Iranian Consulate to collect my visa...I had called and asked questions several times, but as it is in Dubai, and no one mentioned it, I did not take something to cover my hair. I know I should have known better...

I was greeted with a "what are YOU doing here?" look and politely told, in broken English, I could not enter, as the guy behind the desk pointed to a sign next to him explaining the dress code....I needed to ask some questions, and when I said I was an American, and going as a guest to the Film Festival, the guy got very excited and put me on the phone with someone who spoke perfect English and was very helpful and polite.

Before I left, the gentleman smiled and waved his hands over his head saying "OK, now you come back!"

So I called again this morning...and while on hold the music was from the film "The Sting"...love it! Tomorrow I go and try again to get that visa...and am taking a scarf!

Stage 1 of the trip to Iran....

I Must Go Down to the Sea Again...

One of my favorite poems about traveling. One of the things I like about the sea is where ever you go, it looks the same, more or less. There is a certain familiarity in that, be it LA, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Marbella, and soon, Iran, you walk on the beach and feel a sense of comfort.

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

John Masefield

Visa approved!

Just got word that my visa is here! I have to go to Dubai to pick it up and it looks like the trip will be around August 20. This way, I stay 2 weeks and can go to the Film festival there. The first week looks like a roadtrip around Iran meeting new people.

The Journey, recited by Bahareh Amidi

Bahareh, the Poetess of Light

Bahareh Amidi is an American Iranian friend. She is also a Poetess and composes poems for poetry therapy. I have asked if I could use the ones about "The Journey" as it seems rather fitting.  She has two poems about The Journey, here are the words in Farsi and English. Bahareh graciously donates her time and poetry to work with the women's shelter here in Abu Dhabi. More of her poetry is on her site at: http://www.bahareh.com/  Enjoy!

در حال سفر

در حال سفر بودم

و ناهان رسیدم

میدانستم که خیلی وقت در این راه بودم

ولی حال میدانم که رسیدم

به دنبال ی

به سراغ کی

بار سفر را جمع کردم

من حالا انجا هستم

انجا که میخواستم باشم

با تو هستم

همیشه با من بمان

On a Journey

I had been on a journey for as long as I recall

Suddenly I arrived

What was I looking for

Who was I looking for

Now I am unpacked

Now I am  there

Here where I wanted to be

I am with thee
Stay with me always.

Iran Trip

I am starting to get really excited about this, a month to go now...HUGE thanks to Mellissa and Bahram, I'm sure I will be in good hands once I get there. Also looking forward to finally meeting Javad and Reza in person.