The Jewish community in Iran dates back over 2700 years. The Islamic Revolution of 1979 resulted in the departure of many Jews from the country. "Jews of Iran" focuses on Jews currently living in Iran and on recent historic developments. The Jews in Tehran, young and old, speak about different kinds of discrimination they face- as well as the positive aspects of Iranian life. These positive things include close friendships between tolerant Muslim and Jewish families. And of course there is a strong and responsive bond within the members of the Jewish community itself. In Isfahan, we witness the love and passion that the film’s subjects have developed for their home. In Shiraz, the film uncovers an espionage case against the Jews in the area. This film is the first time a Muslim director, Ramin Farahani, has made a film about the lives of Iranian Jews and provides rare access into a community that is flourishing despite its hard circumstances. This film allows the viewer to learn about the problems, the way they preserve their Judaism and their hopes for the future.
Festivals
- Santa Fe Film Club, USA, 2007
- Highland Park Temple, USA, 2007
- Kehilath Jeshurun, NYU, USA, 2008
- Desert Jewish Film Festival, USA, 2007
Additional info
Gallery
Muslim director Ramin Farahani presents Jews of Iran, an extraordinary documentary about the Iran's Jewish minority, who have been a part of the land for over 2,700 years, and who all too often cope with persecution.
For the entire review, check:http://midwestbookreview.com/lbw/aug_14.htm#LibraryDVD"Quite surprisingly, Jews of Iran demonstrates how, even after the revolution, religious tolerance can trickle down from one generation to the next. A Jewish mother and a Muslim mother who have been good friends since college, have raised sons who are now equally as close."
For the entire review, check: http://tjctv.com/movies/jews-of-iran