Author Archives: zarairene

Taxi Tehran Film Review – a wonderful ride through the capital of Iran

I was recently browsing through the BBC iPlayer film selection. Pleasantly surprised, I saw Taxi Tehran on their list. This had always been one of those Iranian films I had been meaning to watch, but not had the opportunity to. BBC, I thank you. Jafar Panahi, the director of Taxi Tehran, can be well praisedContinue reading “Taxi Tehran Film Review – a wonderful ride through the capital of Iran”

Walking On String Film Review

Walking On String has featured in the Iranian Film Festival in London this year at the Institut Français. The unique film directed by Ahmadreza Motamedi, is a a story of a tanbur player who goes to the city in search of employment. Whilst there, his family friend’s daughter invites him to join an underground band.Continue reading “Walking On String Film Review”

The Sealed Soil Film Review

The Sealed Soil, (Khak-e Sar Bemohr in Farsi), by Iranian director Marva Nabili has received much praise from the San Remo and Berlin film festivals. It recently featured at the London Feminist Film Festival at the BFI Southbank. Nabili was there in person for a Q&A session too. The Sealed Soil has been compared toContinue reading “The Sealed Soil Film Review”

Snapp: The Iranian Version to Uber

If you have travelled in Iran, you will know that taxis are very much a popular mode of transport. Since 2000, the underground network has expanded, with six main lines carrying three million passengers everyday and thousands of buses transporting thousands of passengers. Even so, taxis are still one of the most popular modes ofContinue reading “Snapp: The Iranian Version to Uber”

The Cypress Tree Book Review

This is as personal as a book can be. The Cypress Tree is a book about Kamin Mohammadi’s journey from her native land of Iran to London, and then back to Iran as a grown adult. The Cypress Tress is ideal as an introduction to Iranian culture, and it also gives a clear picture ofContinue reading “The Cypress Tree Book Review”

Persian Snacking

There are always differences between cultures, especially with food. But a certain food habit appears so vastly variant between the west and the Middle East, and that is the little act of snacking. I have grown up in England for most of my life, and piling the supermarket aisles, there have always been sugary snacks,Continue reading “Persian Snacking”