Inside Iranian Cinema (Part 1/3)

Between their Nuclear programs and president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disdain for diplomacy, Iran posses a legitimate threat to the rest of the world. Despite all this, or perhaps because of it, Iranian filmmakers are among most prolific and influential in the world today. Their government's influence over the film industry is unlike any other. In 1978, cinemas were burned to the ground after images of American decadence were shown on screen. The medium itself was outlawed until the Ayatollah Khamenei saw a film he liked, the cinemas were reopened, and the industry grew again.

Today, this revitalized passion for film has Iran making a major impact on the world. The country's cultural, national, and individual diversity is on view, in celluloid. In this episode, watch Shane Smith travel to Iran for the 3rd Annual Urban Film Festival in Tehran. We take you to film sets and sound stages where we meet Iran's top directors, actors, and clerics.

Watch parts 2 & 3 here
Part 2: http://bit.ly/Iranian-Cinema-2
Part 3: http://bit.ly/Iranian-Cinema-3

Check out the Best of VICE here: http://bit.ly/VICE-Best-Of

Subscribe to VICE here! http://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-VICE
Check out our full video catalog: http://bit.ly/VICE-Videos
Videos, daily editorial and more: http://vice.com
Like VICE on Facebook: http://fb.com/vice
Follow VICE on Twitter: http://twitter.com/vice
Read our tumblr: http://vicemag.tumblr.com

• Category

  Entertainment

[Kevin Ajamlou]

I'm Swedish but my dad is from Iran and I've been to the country several times and I gotta say, the things that the media shows about Iran is so biased. The people are extremely friendly, the country is not all desert as some might think and it's a very nice and beautiful place to visit, aside from the fact that it is controlled by their dumbass and evil government. It really is too bad that the situation is what it is because the people there are just like you and me. They deserve better.

[oreo12345671]

im very glad they went to iran. finally someone showing the beauty of iran

[AhsanY2K]

Apologize for 300 xD ! Guess even the Mullahs have immense pride in their Zoroastrian past

[Kamran Assad]

No, you aren't Swedish, you are a Persian living in Sweden.

Swedish = ethnicity

Persian = ethnicity

Maybe you are half Swedish, but not full.

[pumasdaniel01]

BTW, great VICE in HBO, congra

[pumasdaniel01]

Shane,u filmed what they wanted,they lied to you & you impersonated somebody else,it might be fun at the moment but they used you so nicely for their propaganda, New Iranian revolution?,Bro,you could not even film in the street,& what a mission to get a visa to get in Iran.Do not get me wrong there is renaissance of the Iranian's film, a clear symptom of the oppression & I am sure there are good people doing their best for the Iranian culture but they are the minority & they have to walk on fire

[Dolf Reich]

Stop pretending democracy is great and admit it is a Jewish conspiracy to destroy Europe. I am European and I see what democracy did to the continent. If European countries would be ruled by one party and one leader, we would not have the economic crises. No mass immigration. Less crime. No americanized youth forgetting about their proud European heritage. No drugs and blacks on the streets. No Jewish Or socialist influence etc. Iran got lucky it is not a democracy.

[Arman Jafarinia]

"One people, one country, one party, one leader"

It seems as though you think that the 1984 form of government is ideal. You should know that many Iranians don't have any ill will towards America. But you wouldn't know that since you are most likely not Iranian. I am Iranian and hence know a lot more about Iran than you do. So in short shut up about Iran you have no idea what you are talking about. P.S. Iranians watch American movies and listen to American music as well.

[Arman Jafarinia]

As an Iranian I hope one day that my fellow Iranians IN Iran rise up and throw out these corrupt ayatollah's. I don't want any outside influence to try to bring about regime change that would only end in horrible disaster. Unfortunately it seems that people are fearful for their lives and it seems like its going to be more of the same. Its a shame. A beautiful country such as Iran deserves better than the dictators who steal from its people.

[demolicious1]

The presenter looks like such a boss with the long hair/ beard! The other look is a lot more kind and friendly.

[Dolf Reich]

You can stick your left wing democracy in your arse. Bagelbitch. It's because of democracy we are being overrun by immigrants. It's because of the Jewish media that forces innocent European children to listen to uncivilized American music and watch American movies. Europeans are being brainwashed by the Americans and Jews. The Iranian government recognizes this evil and they protect their country. I have great respect for the that government. One people, one country, one party, one leader!

[hussainmushahid]

he's a troll, ignore the troll.