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News & ArtsMonday, February 27, 2012
Film Iran Celebrates Victory over Israel
Posted by Charles Mudede on Mon, Feb 27, 2012 at 9:00 AM
Iran's state TV described the country's foreign film Oscar win on Monday as a victory over Israel, in a gesture of official approval toward an Iranian movie industry criticized by hardliners.What to make of this? Fuck you, Ahmadinejad. For the past decade, you have done everything to destroy Iran's once-thriving film industry and imprisoned filmmakers. This is not a victory for a Iran. It is a victory for artists and world cinema. The nerve of some people.The official reaction to the victory of "A Separation" in Sunday's awards ceremony was cast in nationalist terms and in the light of Iran's confrontation with its arch-foe, which also had a film, "Footnote," competing for the foreign language Oscar.
2
This just in: The current government of Iran is not nice and does not work for the best interests of the people of Iran. Nice to see you're on board.
3
"What to make of this?"
Chest-thumping nationalism, something that Israel and the United States are rarely known for.
Chest-thumping nationalism, something that Israel and the United States are rarely known for.
4
It is a victory for artists and world cinema.
Yes.
And Ahmadinejad's acknowledgement might also be viewed, ironically, a small victory for secularism and freedom of expression over the religious hardliners that rule Iran.
It further hints at the power of non-militaristic methods of influencing the domestic politics and culture of a nation that values democracy but suffers under an oppressive regime. If the west plays its cards right, and if Israel stops its noisy chest beating (which only shores up conservative power in Iran), Ahmadinejad and the clerics will ultimately be overthrown by Iranians.
Yes.
And Ahmadinejad's acknowledgement might also be viewed, ironically, a small victory for secularism and freedom of expression over the religious hardliners that rule Iran.
It further hints at the power of non-militaristic methods of influencing the domestic politics and culture of a nation that values democracy but suffers under an oppressive regime. If the west plays its cards right, and if Israel stops its noisy chest beating (which only shores up conservative power in Iran), Ahmadinejad and the clerics will ultimately be overthrown by Iranians.
8
All this was just the equivalent of "Nya nya Israel, we got an award and you didn't. So there you Zionist dogs."
9
I am sad for most Iranian people. What tyranny they must endure... especially the womenfolk. It's an ancient, highly intelligent culture that got railroaded. Congrats to the people associated with A Separation. Damn fine film!
10
Most absurd attempt at spin ever, when you consider that the Oscar is practically a gift FROM Israel (interesting how they cut to Spielberg at the beginning of Farhadi's classy acceptance speech). That "A Seperation" beat out an Israeli movie AND a Holocaust drama from Poland is testament both to how incredible a film it is and to the magnanimity of the American Jewish community, which is ready to extend an olive branch wherever it can.
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