Inside Iran, Frame by Frame

Film Series Presents the Works of Acclaimed Iranian Directors and Provides Insights Into the Country’s Culture, Politics and People.

South Orange, New Jersey, September X, 2015 – A series of five films by acclaimed Iranian filmmakers will open Sunday, September 13th with “The Cow,” a landmark work by the celebrated director Dariush Mehrjui that premiered internationally in 1969. The complete schedule for the series includes “The Cyclist” (1987) by Mohsen Makhmalbaf, screening Oct. 4, “Close Up” (1990) by Abbas Kiarostami on November 29, “The Children of Heaven” (1997) by Majid Majidi and “The Separation” (2011) by Asghar Farhadi. Screenings for all the films begin at 2:00 pm. The location for the screenings is the Loft at South Orange Performing Arts Center in South Orange, NJ.

The Iranian film series is the latest offering of Gerard Amsellem’s “La Cinematheque Film Club that specializes in presenting extraordinary and important works of film art rarely seen in the U.S. Mr. Amsellem, an artist, filmmaker and educator who resides in South Orange personally chooses all the films, provides extensive background information and notes on each film, introduces each film and leads a discussion following each screening.

For the upcoming series Mr. Amsellem will be joined by Iranian born scholar and author Dr. Hossein Hafezian who will provide historical and cultural context for all the films. Dr. Hafezian, is uniquely qualified for this role. He received a PhD in political science from the University of Tehran in 2004 and is the author of “Women and the Revolution: The Untold Story and co-author of the “Role of Women in the Muslim Countries’ Development.” Currently Dr. Hafezian is adjunct Assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and Law at Montclair State University and an undergraduate and graduate school instructor in Middle East studies at the School of Diplomacy at Seton Hall University. From 2006 – 2010 Dr. Hafezian was chair of the Department of Political Science at Azad University in Karaj Iran.

“I’m excited to be able to bring the work of these talented and courageous directors to a wider audience,” said Gerard Amsellem, founder and director of the La Cinematheque Film Club. “With Dr. Hossein as our guide this series of films is going to be a unique event that not only explores the filmmakers’ artistic brilliance but a learning experience providing insights into the people, politics and culture of Iran.”

The cost to become a member of the film club and attend all five screenings is $65. Tickets can be purchased at the SOPAC box office, One SOPAC Way South Orange, NJ 07079. Box Office hours are 12pm – 6pm Monday through Saturday or Online at SOPACnow.org/education/filmclub. For information call 973-313-2787.

Press Contact:
Larry Dell, LDPR, llc
larrydell@comcast.net
973-986-1433