Waubonsee Community College

Salam Iran - a Persian letter, by Jean-Daniel Lafond

eng

videorecording

For College; Adult audiences

Salam Iran - a Persian letter

electronic resource

747797202

by Jean-Daniel Lafond

52

Salam Iran offers insight into a country seething with change but ruthlessly contained by the Islamic theocracy. It is also a universal portrait of exile; intense yearning for what can never be reclaimed. Amir Moussami fled Iran eighteen years ago as a young student targeted by the revolution as an agitator for democracy. He settled in Montreal, yearning for his country and for the mother to whom he never had a chance to say goodbye. When his mother wrote of her fear that she would die before setting eyes on him again, Amir planned a brief return. Filmmaker Jean-Daniel was captivated by Amir's story and decided to accompany him, camera in tow. But then fate cast a curve ball -- Amir's visa was deferred by the Iranian consulate the day before departure, and Jean-Daniel flew on without his native guide. He discovers for himself the complexities of a country struggling under the heavy yoke of Ayotollah Khomeini's conservatism, yet needing to navigate in the modern world. He finds a fascinating assemblage of Iranians to help him decipher this unfamiliar territory. Among them are a female vice president of the Republic who voices her disapproval of Western values; an academic who is prohibited from teaching because of his views; a news dealer who observes that the liberal press has been stifled. Finally Amir's visa is approved and he arrives at Tehran airport beaming with anticipation. Home at last! But home to what? The land of his happy childhood memories, or of the current repressive state? Amir journeys the many miles, past nomads, camels and mountains to reunite with his mother. They have a speechless but tearful reunion

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