Please enjoy this brief news unreel before our feature presentations. A rare multinational agreement has been reached: 

China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States decided to swat Iran with a third round of sanctions because of questions surrounding Iran's nuclear research. But last December this arm in arm in arm in arm in arm in arm agreement looked like it wasn't going to happen. President Bush lost face to the world when a U.S.-produced National Intelligence Estimate report suggested Iran did in fact pass the sniff test for weaponized uranium. Bush's claims for imposing sanctions were seemingly hollow (liberal and conservative analysis) and his urge toward sanctions was sunk. Three months later, the sanctions are in. Reasons? Some say a CIA-procured laptop once belonging to an Iranian technician put a good spook into more than a few countries. Iran's consistently cagey claim to an "inalienable right to peaceful nuclear technology" didn't fly this time either. But really, who knows how they do things in that ultimate players lounge they like to call the United Nations Security Council?  Furthermore, let us not forget that sanctions are for governments and movies are for people.

So, let's get on with the counter-programming.

Hamsarayan (The Chorus)

This film is for people who love humans, human moments, grandparents or grandchildren. Abbas Kiarastomi is a filmmaker who will make your life richer if you let him. The State Department makes the greatest claim so far as to why the government should stay out of the movies. Despite his global acclaim and humanist reputation Kiarastomi was denied a visa and unable to attend the 2002 NY Film festival. Our continued loss. But enjoy his beautiful 1982 short film. 

The White Balloon

Jafar Panahi directs this sweet and simple tale of a girl who wants only to slip away and buy a goldfish - a journey that takes her through the wide world of Tehranian neighborhood streets. Kiarastomi wrote this film for his protégé Panahi, and it carries on the tradition of tender, spare filmmaking. Unfortunately, the United States has also followed tradition in our shabby treatment of Iranian filmmakers. Panahi was detained, cuffed and disdained because of beaurocratic folly involving a transit visa (pre-9/11 in this case).

Iranian Intelligence Ministry Drek

As always in Triple Features, the diehard fans are rewarded with the weird stuff. Here is what I consider a co-production from Iran and the United States. This is the kind of drivel that results when governments get in the way of people. The directors are hateful Iranian propagandists. These are the sort of filmmakers who will continue to prosper in Iran if our next government continues the policies of cultural ignorance and fear mongering amongst nations.

I offer at least one American citizen's apology to Abbas Kiarastomi and Jafar Panahi for my government's actions against them. And I look forward to a new administration where humane offerings are welcomed with an open mind and heart.