Im so glad that their struggles and their voices are being heard and that we realize this is a reflection of the international struggle for women. He then joined the Center for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, where he started a film section, and this started his career Asghar Farhadi was born in 1972 in Iran. A high-level Defense WebThe Iranian American Medical Association is a non-profit, professional association dedicated to promoting education, health, communication and research in medical More specifically, OIAC supports the 10-point plans by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi [5] for a democratic Iran that aligns with security for America and peace in the Middle East and beyond. He has been married to Laura Regan since 2007. He is a director and producer, known for Our Lady of the Assassins (2000), Murder by Numbers (2002) and Barfly (1987). His credits also include developing the opening montages for Mission: Impossible, Hawaii Five-O, Get Smart, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He studied sociology. I think a lot of people feel that. 66. He graduated from university with a degree in fine arts before starting work as a graphic designer. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Its about expectations or projections, all the things we didnt get to do or wish we had done, we project onto the next generation. Iranian Hotline is a non-religious and non-political Iranian-American Resource Guide. Badiyi set a Directors Guild of America record for directing the most hours of episodic series television ever.[3]. He naturally followed in their foot steps early on and began making his own short films on super 8 and 16mm film at age 11. The second I would walk in [with the tape], we would be dancing. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He is an actor and producer, known for A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014), Burn Country (2016) and The Taqwacores (2010). All Rights Reserved. Dr. Pooyan The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. There were lowlights, as well, including directing the unsold pilot for Inside O.U.T., starring up-and-coming actress Farrah Fawcett and a chimp for Screen Gems in 1971. He started acting in amateur theater groups at the age of fourteen. At the age of 2, his father moved Peyman Maadi was born in 1972 in New York City to an Iranian couple. Many Iranian-Americans have founded, invested in, or reached the top ranks of some of the most prominent Silicon Valley companies. Mahyar Salek & Mahdokht Masaeli: Founders of Deep Cell, a prenatal testing biotech company. I think people are speaking their voice and its not just their story. He has been married to Preetha since 2006. The IASF Board meets to plan and review the needs of the organization. In The Persian Version, Iranian-American Leila (Layla Mohammadi) boldly challenges labels that society tries to project upon her while balancing and embracing her opposing cultures. He began his career with directing, writing and editing short films in 1980. A Perrier Award nominee in Darius Khondji was born on October 21, 1955 in Tehran, Iran. Worked closely, and in conjunction, with the Obama administration. The IASF Board meets to plan and review the needs of the organization. His father, Mozaher Mosaffa is a renowned Persian poet and professor of Persian literature at the University of Tehran (UT). She is an actress, known for RoboCop (2014), Alfie (2004) and The Book of Henry (2017). Pop culture is the way I taught Americans what Iran was about and what I learned about what Iran was. The fact that we say that we exist and that were full-fledged humans is itself a radical act. I think just even having this character in some ways folded in the immigrant story in a Muslim context, in a Shia context, is radical. IranianHotline.com is the only credible Iranian-American Information & Connection Center online, since 2003. Hundreds of cases of poisonings have been reported After two years of college in Massachusetts, Shaun transferred to USC where he graduated.Toub has received accolades for several of his appearances in over 100 Marshall Manesh was born in Iran. WebList your business with Iranian American Business Directory! (Each sibling have a Actress | She began to participate in beauty pageant when she was one year old. When I was thinking about making an immigrant story, I thought, you know whats so interesting? Arad Rostampour: Founder/CEO of ZenHealth (YC backed) and co-founder of SocialShielf acquired by Avira. He lost his father at an early age and was raised by his beloved mother, whom he feels he got his strength from to make it in show biz. Ghaffari's debut novel "To Keep The Sun Alive" was selected for the Indie Next List and Samira was born in Los Angeles, California. Trump had just been elected, the Muslim ban and immigrants were being so vilified. She is an actress, known for Road to Perdition (2002), Greenberg (2010) and Eleventh Hour (2008). Ashe is an Iranian-American actress who speaks fluent Farsi and received a BFA in Acting from Boston University, with training from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts and UCB theater. As Nadia Bjorlin was born the fifth out of six children. Tell us what you think about this feature. NIAC is steered by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of leaders from across our community. Andy Madadian is known for House of Sand and Fog (2003), Guardian Angel (2014) and American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016). She was forced into leaving school. The TV movie covered the murder of Sean Devereux, an aid worker who was murdered in Reza Badiyi was born on April 17, 1929 in Arak, Iran. He started his film career on 3D IMAX films BARRY NAVIDI - PRODUCER As a producer, friend, and confidant to some of the greatest legends of world cinema, Barry Navidi has been privileged to work with John Huston, Lauren Bacall, Robert Mitchum, Michael Caine, Paul Scofield, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, John Hurt, Sean Connery, Kami Asgar was born on May 26, 1965 in Iran. All my parents friends were Persians. Humor was the art of survival in my family. In films from 1955's Rififi (Rififi ( Anice Alvina was born on January 28, 1953 in Boulogne-Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine, France. Keshavarz spoke with Variety about how The Persian Version reflects the experiences of many Iranians and immigrants overall, and how pop culture helped bridge the gap between her two worlds Iran and America. Iran can now make nuke material in 12 days, Pentagon says. David Diaan has built an impressive career as an Iranian American Actor, Writer, and Producer. To advocate justice and equality for the Americans of Iranian heritage. Abbas Kiarostami was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1940. The application deadline to take advantage of this opportunity isAugust1st, and is fast approaching. Highly partisan organization that supports Democratic Party candidates and agendas. The Most Visited Iranian-American Website, Dentists - www.IranianAmericanDentists.com, Attorneys - www.IranianAmericanAttorneys.com, Full Professional Profile including Photo, Website Its such a myth and some people dont want to be mothers. When her parents discover that she and Alex are living together before marriage, chaos unspools as they prepare for her wedding. That means shes constantly fighting against the status quo. [6] His first marriage was to Gwendolyn Davis which ended in divorce. So I felt like that should be the heart of it. Photography, Videography, Video Conversion, Search Engine Optimization, Online Advertising, Dentists - www.IranianAmericanDentists.com, Attorneys - www.IranianAmericanAttorneys.com. His quiet and composed A native of Valencia, CA, Nazanin Mandi Pimentel is a natural- Born Performer; Singing at age 5, Modeling at age 10, performing the Mozart Requiem at Carnegie Hall and acting at age 15. and then went on to get a masters degree in management from U.D. It was rich with Iranian and American pop culture. SAYE YABANDEH is an Iranian-born Hollywood actress focused on using her platform to bring awareness to global issues and to give back to refugees and underserved children and families around the world. He is an actor, known for The Kite Runner (2007), Taste of Cherry (1997) and A Most Wanted Man (2014). As to why she went the rom-com route, Zandieh explained that the film was initially a family dramedy but she turned to rom-com to best portray her colorful characters. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Zandieh says her feature directorial debut aimed to show the different ways love can exist.A Simple Wedding, in select U.S. theaters and on VOD this Valentines Day, includes plenty of examples. In search of safety and a better life, he and his mother fled to Turkey, after a few years of trying to get asylum Canada finally granted them the Ramin Niami is known for Babe's and Ricky's Inn (2013), Paris (2003) and Shirin in Love (2014). WebIran has given birth to some great movie directors over the years, many of who have gone on to direct popular comedies, dramas, horror movies and more. The Godfather and Joy Luck Club. All these films, but it was never our stories. I wanted it to feel as natural and as grounded as possible., Zandieh wanted to represent Iranians the way she knows them and their culture as fun-loving, kind and adaptable. With Iran constantly in the political crosshairs, be it this administration or ones prior, Zandieh said, our wonderful culture gets buried under politics.. After receiving his high school diploma, he started studying art at the Institute of Dramatic Art in Tehran. Dara Khosrowshahi is not the only Iranian-American executive in tech. Its too culturally specific.'. Adjunct Professor at Stanford. Mamad Haghighat was born in 1952 in Isfahan, Iran. She is a descendant of one of the oldest and most prominent Necar Zadegan is a versatile actress known for a career on stage and screen. Soroush Ghodsi: founder of Slik.ai (a lead generation company) who is the youngest founder ever to join Ycombinator! At the age of eight, she played in "The Cyclist" directed by her father, Mohsen Makhmalbaf the celebrated Iranian filmmaker.At the age of 17, she directed her first feature titled "The Apple" and She went on to become the youngest Abbas Ali Hatami was born in Tehran, Iran in 1944. These are some of the best Iranian directors in the history of the world, so if you're a native of Iran and an aspiring director then these are people you should look up to. I couldnt write anything else with as much devotion. Reza Sayed Badiyi (also known as Reza Badiei; Persian: ; April 17, 1930 August 20, 2011) was an Iranian-born American film and television director. One of these short films, "Life in Fog" (1999) is even Rafi Pitts' films have attained acclaim and awards around the globe. His credits also include developing the opening montages for Mission: Impossible, Hawaii Five-O, Get Smart, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Arash Mokhtar is known for Ramy (2019), New Amsterdam (2018) and FBI (2018). He holds a degree in 'Medical Physics' from the University of Newcastle. Dancing through the Iran-Iraq war when I was a little kid and we would go back and forth [between Iran and the U.S.] and smuggle tapes. Ali Kashani,: Founder of Lux.io (AI in food company) acquired by PostMates and now an executive at PostMates. Sara Naseri: Founder of QuraSense (YCombinator backed). They were like Nah, screw them! and go to the parties. After several years of making short films and working as an assistant director for fellow Iranian film-maker Abbas Kiarostami, Panahi achieved Mohsen Makhmalbaf is known as one of the most influential filmmakers and founders of the new wave of Iranian cinema in the world today.Many of his films like Salam Cinema, A Moment Of Innocence, Gabbeh, Kandahar and The President have been widely well received across the globe and have brought him Dariush Mehrjui was born to a middle-class family in Tehran. What of your own life did you draw inspiration from for this film? His Mohammad Rasoulof was born in Shiraz, Iran in 1972. WebDirector | Taxi Jafar Panahi (Born 11 July 1960) is an Iranian film director, screenwriter, and film editor, commonly identified with the Iranian New Wave film movement. Among his plays are: The Demon and the Bald Hassan, Adam and Eve, The Fisherman's Story, City of Oranges, Majid Majidi was born on April 17, 1959 in Tehran, Iran to a middle class family. IACC I think this film really is a film about choice. They have two children. Massy Tadjedin was born in 1976 in Tehran, Iran. Shortly after graduating from the National Audiovisual School, he made his first short, immediately acclaimed by the local critics. WebIranian American Attorney Directory www.IranianAmericanLawyers.com Please fill out the form below and follow the process online, OR call us at Toll Free 888.611.5478 , or email As a girl, she acted in various TV advertisements. [3][4] Badiyi often worked with Robert Altman. They went to Israel, then to America where Tami is still based. You reinvent yourself So I really started to think of my mother and I as a sort of reflection of each other and all the stories of my mythology as an immigrant coming here. At 14 he moved to Switzerland and then to New Hampshire. WebThe Iranian-American Scholarship Fund (IASF) is managed by a Board of Directors. Hossein labored away as actor/director with the legendary Theatre Grand Guignol in Montmartre, then spent several years on the "legitimate" stage. Shohreh Aghdashloo was born Shohreh Vaziri-Tabar on May 11, 1952 in Tehran, Iran. Dr. Modjtahedi Scholarship Fund. [2][6] He later won various awards, including the Humanitas Prize for an episode of Cagney and Lacey. Samira Makhmalbaf FilmmakerBorn on February 15,1980 in Tehran. He is a writer and producer, known for Apocalypto (2006), The Professor and the Madman (2019) and Boss (2011). Despite Hollywoods goals to open doors to diverse stories, Zandieh said that when she shopped the script around including to Participant, Sony and Fox everyone was basically like, We love it, but we cant really finance this because its too niche. WebNIAC is steered by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of leaders from across our community. He came to the United States in the mid '70s and joined the Persian Theater Group and traveled extensively through out the US, Anthony Azizi started his career many years ago, as a child, acting in plays for the Touchstone Theater run by Bill and Bridget George in Bethlehem, PA. The list of successful Iranian-Americans in Silicon Valley is definitely much larger than the above and I have for sure missed some prominent names in this list. Nicole, the daughter of two prominent Iranian-American journalists, Nader Sadighi and Shahla Arasteh, grew up in London, England.She has worked with Producer Georgia Masters (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) whom she'd worked with previously on the BAFTA nominated 'One Night Stand' starring Catherine was born in London, but she moved to California with her Iranian mother at the age of two. Of course that comes with expectations for what that life should be. Her beginnings in the world of entertainment whispered Greatness from an early age.Her evolution continues to be Pej Vahdat is known for The Old Man (2022), City on a Hill (2019) and Shameless (2011). The family moved to Los Angeles in 1979, to escape the Iranian revolution. To name a few I would list: Falon Roz Fatemi: Founder/CEO of Node.io with $18M+ funding (Mark Cuban is an investor!). Mehdi Samadi: Founder of Solvvy, an AI-based CRM company which was featured in WSJ, etc. Lets take look at some of the most prominent founders, funders, and executives in tech of Iranian heritage. In 2007 she received the award for Best Young Actress at the Tandees' first film was destroyed when the building that housed her film school was hit by bombs in the Iran/Iraq war. Weve been vilified in Western media but we also come from a beautiful tradition of Iranian film. He became interested in cinema in his teenage years and started his filmmaking education by joining the Youth Cinema Society of Esfahan in 1986 where he made 8mm and 16mm short films. Art Galleries, Artists, Musicians, Fine Arts, Contractors, Electricians, Kitchen Cabinets, Handy Men, Computer Services, Parts, Software, Website Design, Health Care, Clinics, Acupuncture, Homeopathic, Chiropractors, Optometrists, Educational Consultants, Instructors, Persian, English, Event Coordinators, Invitation Cards, Catering, Venues, Florists, Photographers, Bridal Accessories, Health, Life, Car and Home Insurance Agents, Mortgage Specialists, Loan Services, Business Loans, Financial Advisors, Photography, Videography, Passpost Photos, Video Conversion, Rugs, Carpets, Rugs Cleaners, Carpet Cleaners, Iranian Hotline is a non-religious and non-political Iranian-American Resource Guide. So much of the film is about pop culture and connectivity. Every film Ive ever made is about the resilience of women in difficult situations, be it patriarchal societies or governments that are not sympathetic to their situation. He has been married to Shani Rigsbee since November 11, 2011. He also directed the definitive "fashion show" sequence of the third season of the popular Doris Day Show. Daniel Ahmadizadeh: A recent YCombinator backed company building a product for real estate agents which has raised over $3M in venture capital. Blue Fox Entertainment secured domestic distribution and worldwide rights last February. She was cast in the film House of Sand and Fog in 2003 and in the Lifetime series, State Marjan Neshat was born on October 10, 1975 in Tehran, Iran. He was born in Teheran, Iran in 1980, but left his home country at the age of five with his family as refugees and resettled in Germany in 1985.Due to his fathers profession as an event manager, Navid was introduced to the stage and Dr. Sam Khoze is a renowned AI technologist and researcher. His second, Sanam (2000) was hailed by French critics and compared to The 400 Blows (1959). Oh, it means youre straight or oh it means you should do that. URL and Full Description of Business (up to 6 lines). Previously youngest employee at Google. She was previously married to Reza. Actress | All Board members Theyve given so much up for us to have a different life than they had.What was your goal with exploring motherhood through Shirin and Leilas stories? I know people think pro-choice is about having an abortion. Babak was born to parents who were both Writers and Filmmakers. He made his debut, Tranquility in the Presence of Others, in 1970 and gained the attention of Iranian critics. I just couldnt start anything else. His family moved back to Iran when he was 5 years old. Theres a scene in A Simple Wedding, a new Iranian-American romantic comedy by Sara Zandieh, that captures the films spirit. SIOBHAN COLEY-AMIN. Yasmin Razavi: Investor at Spark Capital, previously at Index Ventures and McKinsey. So even that experience is a very split one. It was freedom. She is an actress, known for The Kite Runner (2007), Eyes (2005) and The Florist (2004). I didnt want to get arrested. He is an actor, known for Alex Cross (2012), Unthinkable (2010) and Intelligence (2014). Early in his career, he directed episodes of Get Smart, Mission: Impossible, Hawaii Five-O, The Incredible Hulk, Mannix, The Six Million Dollar Man, Starsky and Hutch, The Rockford Files and Police Squad!. 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He was a director and producer, known for Carnival of Souls (1962), Stop Susan Williams (1979) and Mission: Impossible (1966). He is a cinematographer and writer, known for Man of Steel (2013), Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) and Lord of War (2005). But its been the case forever theyve been fighting against expectations. Throughout the film, we see love story after love story unfold new love budding between Nousha and Alex, love found later in life by Noushas uncle Saman (Maz Jobrani) and Maggie, love built over time in the arranged marriage of Ziba and Reza (Houshang Touzie), as well as the tumultuous love that comes with blending families. Like the actress [Kamand Shafieisabet] who plays young Shirin is 14 she was telling me how meaningful it is to see all these protests around the world as they struggle. Top 20 Best Iranian Film Directors of All Time. #1 bestseller new release VC book on Amazon. WebAmerican-Iranian Council, Inc. (AIC) is a non-profit independent research and educational institute. Badiyi died in Los Angeles, California on August 20, 2011, at the age of 81, having struggled with various health issues. Rabeah Ghaffari is an Iranian-born writer and filmmaker. Naser Taghvai was born in Abadan, Iran. He recently starred in the Netflix Global drama The Letter for the King (2020) as Sir Fantumar and the HBO/BBC series His Dark Materials (2019). Previously founded Genius. After early experiences as a story writer, he Mosaffa's mother, Amir Banoo Karimi is also a leading scholar and professor of Persian literature at the University of Tehran (UT) and the Homayoun Ershadi was born in 1947 in Isfahan, Iran. Naser Taghvai Director | Nakhoda Khorshid Naser Taghvai is an Iranian film director and screenwriter. She went to UCLA to study biology/ pre-medicine, but she dropped out to become a model in Japan. Ive always wanted to do our great immigrant story thats so Persian, thats a mix of laughing, crying, dancing and eating! She is an actress, known for Alarm fr Cobra 11 - Die Autobahnpolizei (1996), Traveling Light (2021) and Blackstone (2023). I think the struggle is really one of family and living up to your mothers expectations, especially, particularly when youre the only daughter. After long trip and so many short movie and documentary she start her Rosie Malek-Yonan is an Assyrian born in Tehran who lives in the U.S. She is an actress, award winning writer, director, producer, published author, documentary filmmaker, a classically trained pianist, composer, and an Assyrian advocate. She has a sister, Saba Soomekh. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. In 2009, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Noor Iranian Film Festival in Los Angeles, and after his passing in 2011, the festival made the award his namesake. He studied English and Theatre Studies. He has over 40 years of experience in the motion picture industry, with featured appearances in more than 90 films. Rome Shadanloo was born In Tehran, Iran and grew up in Los Angeles, California.She has appeared on several notable shows and the independent instant classic "A Girl Walks Home At Night". I think thats so beautiful. IACC is thrilled to hereby announce the 2022 board of directors. Dubbed as "the man of a thousand faces," he garnered critical acclaim for his role "Abu Nazir" on the Emmy Award-winning series Homeland. Leila, of course, does not get pregnant on purpose. I just felt like I needed to release this story into the world, Zandieh said. Its been ongoing for women. Sort by: View: 10 names 1. He made several Daryush Shokof is an artist and film-maker who left Iran in the 1970s for the U.S. and under the name of AliReza Shokoufandeh. Ubers board of directors appointed Tehran-Born Dara Khosrowshahi as its new CEO after the controversies around its founder, Travis Kalanick. [1] He was invited by the United States Department of State to continue his studies in America after winning an international film award for Flood in Khuzestan.