WIJDON

GREAT MOVIE!

06/27/09

Just finished watching the movie THE STONING OF SORAYA M. and I must say that it is a great film, almost perfect. Although in limited release, I went to watch it and noticed that everyone watching the film was crying. The acting was superb. Shohreh Aghdashloo was excellent. She was the strong and ultimately helpless woman that fought for her niece played by Mozhan Marnò (Soraya). This film was not only sad but honest. In this world, not only Iran, but here in the US as well as other places, innocent people do suffer at the hands of liars and corrupt individuals (obviously differently). Aghdashloo, at the least, deserves an Oscar nomination. The film was excellently written, directed, acted, and very little if no propaganda (for the Shah or the Ayatollah) was the point. The story was about the characters and the struggle of one particular woman.

I recommend everyone to watch it. The film is almost entirely in Farsi with subtitles (which I must say does not capture everything that is truly said) but just the expression of the actors says more than what they can actually say. Towards the end of the film I looked around to see everyone in tears, even the men. This film will move anyone. I will not say what happens in the film for those who want to see it but one will leave the theater in passion for the helpless people around the world.

LADY GAGA, A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

LADY GAGA LOVE GAME/POKER FACE MUCH MUSIC AWARDS 2009

Lady Gaga has been on my radar for a little over a year. She is a breath of fresh air. In a music world where one artist copies the other in style, writing, singing/rapping, and overall is a carbon copy of a singer before them, Lady GAGA is a breath of fresh air.

From her mysterious face (although you can see it, her face is not the focus), her unique clothing (which she designs herself), fresh lyrics and songs (my favorite is Poker Face), and her performances. Although one can see traces of Madonna, Michael Jackson, and other influences she is unique in the current line up of so called artists.

Her independent thoughts are what are fascinating, stating that even if no one listened to her or paid attention she would continue to pursue her art (fashion, music, design and so on). A true artist does not do it for the money but for the creative spirit that pusher them.

Lady Gaga is the hope of the music industry and we will be seeing a lot of copycats come out of the woodwork.

THE LAST ICON---FOREVER GONE

Recently, I have not written an entry about anything due to the fact that nothing has moved me.

Sometimes it is pointless in the sense that nothing changes.

However, there are certain things that unexpectedly move the world.

The death of Michael Jackson is one of them.

http://www.jacksonaction.com/othertours-filer/bad146.jpg

The King of Pop died 06/25/09 in Los Angeles.

The news is shocking due to his fairly young age of 50, earlier in the day it was announced Farrah Fawcett also died.

I personally loved Michael Jackson. I believe he touched more people than world leaders, broke barriers of age, race, language, and was still very humble.

There will never be another King of Pop.

Although, he was criticized relentlessly in the last 20 years of his life due to certain events and actions in his life, he will remain a legend in music and in the hearts of billions. Every musical artist after him has taken a piece of his songs, style, voice, and attitude: Beyonce, Usher, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Hollywood, Bollywood, and so many other famous people/industry have all shown a bit of Michael's persona.

Michael Jackson will surely be missed.

I already do.

Making the World Smaller

Noor TV is an Afghan American owned television network. Noor TV is owned by four Afghan American brothers that are based in the Bay Area of California. The station was founded in 2007 and has steadily grown as one of the favorite networks among Afghans. The station develops different shows that include themes of religion, life, culture, art and so on. The network was ready to be broadcasting worldwide in early 2009.

Overall, I like the fact that young Afghan-Americans are developing media channels that target Afghans and is created by Afghans. I watch the network and see a lot of potential. Having a background in developing ideas, and film making experience, I see a lot can be created with the tools of Noor TV. I hope the network grows and has some influence by young Afghan American women.

I applaud the efforts of these young brothers and feel that this is an achievement amongst the small Afghan community. This network gives the community closer ties. Afghans all over the world can see the opinions of Afghans in America as well as the rest of the world.

The Stoning of Soraya M.

The Stoning of Soraya M. was originally a book based on a true story. The book was written by Freidoune Sahebjam who is a French-Iranian novelist. The book was written in 1994 and banned by Iran. Although, stoning is very rare in Iran today since 2002, during the time the book was published it was for more widespread. Soraya's husband wanted out of his marriage and decided to accuse his wife of behavior that was unfit for a wife. Soraya often cooked for a friend's husband after her friend died. Soraya's husband accused the two of adultery and had his friends back him on his claims. She was imprisoned and by Islamic law and she ended up being buried to the neck and stoned to death.

I want to watch this film, I can't judge it now for its portrayal of Islamic societies but can say that the few actors they chose are of very high reputation. Shohreh Aghdashloo is of Iranian descent and has acted The House of Sand and Fog, Grey's Anatomy, 24, ER, X-Men, the Nativity Story, and so on. She has once stated that in Iran she has supporters of her choices and has many enemies who consider her a "bad" woman who should be punished. She has stated she can never go back to her native Iran.

Jim Caviezal is best known for his portrayal of Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ. The film should be a good film. It has already received great praise from critics.

The reason I am putting this trailer up, considering that I typically stay in American or Afghan events is because I liked the idea of honesty and exposure. Of course, this is going to get a lot of negative press, hopefully the film was done with respect to the culture but with honesty to the characters, and hopefully this makes people think.

I will watch it and see if it is as interesting as half the book I read, I need to finish the book.

Abdul Tawab Wahab

Please look at this Afghan American artist.

Abdul Tawab Wahab is an Afghan American artist, journalist, father and overall pioneer for all Afghan American immigrants. Wahab has done different genres of art from impressionism to Afghan miniature art and has several books published with his latest passion; Persian Design and Calligraphy.

Please order a few coffee table books for yourself or a loved one.

I may not completely understand my father's work but still have an appreciation for the beauty it represents. I find that each book better than the last.

Here is one painting he did many years ago, this one is one of my favorites.

But take a look at the Persian Calligraphy and Designs he does for yourself.

Abdul Tawab Wahab's Art

Art

http://www.thecornerreport.com/media/blogs/links/afghanart.jpg

Afghan Art in the ASIAN ART MUSEUM

I haven't been able to yet, but if you can please take a look at the Afghan Jewelry exhibit in the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

The exhibit shows 22,000 pieces of Afghan jewelry. These pieces are so historic that I am sure this is one of those experiences that you will walk away with forever.

Here is the link to the website to get more information:

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19X1s9AOSWY&eurl