Vacation time! تعطیل

I just finished the Summer Workshop at IU-- and obtained a year's worth of language training in 8 weeks! Now I have some time off before starting fall classes-- which include Intermediate Persian, Urdu, and Middle Persian (Pahlavi).  This summer has felt like a full Persian immersion and I've learned so much. One of my favorite parts about this class has been the exposure to Iranian Cinema. Here are some of my favorite films:  (just a warning-- none of them have particularly happy endings, but I'm learning to appreciate the contemplative quality of Persian movies!). Enjoy :)

A Separation:

A married couple are faced with a difficult decision, to improve the life of their child by moving to another country or to stay in Iran and look after a deteriorating parent who has Alzheimers.

http://www.movie2k.to/movie-953983-A%2bSeparation%2b*subtitled*.html
(ignore the advertisement placed in front of the screen)

Marmoulak (The Lizard):

Although a comedy, the film makes serious points about the clergy, religion, society in Iran, and life in general. Due to the film's perceived attacks towards clerics, the movie was banned from theatres in Iran after only being on screen for one month.

The Pear Tree:

This is the story of a serious man in the face of his intellectual black out as he finds more meaning to his life while rummaging through his childhood memory. 

http://youtu.be/2Sox1XbZqAo