Kamran Shirdel is a filmmaker from Iran visiting the United States for the first time. The 75 year old filmmaker is opening up about politics and what it is to be an Islamic filmmaker.
He speaks passionately about easing tension between Iran and America. Shirdel says, "We are talking about human beings, not about countries, borders. Good, intelligent, sensible artists still exist" everywhere.
The Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh has sponsored his trip. Shirdel’s films are known to be “eye-opening’’ for filmmakers not accustomed to seeing the politics and culture of Iran. His movies have been shown at the 2013 Carnegie International at the Carnegie Museum of Art. Shirdel, who documented the Iranian Revolution, has looked at political moves from the past.
Shirdel told the Associated Press, Shirdel said that he’s "not an enemy of America.” The filmmaker believes in cultural exchange. The filmmaker founded the Kish International Documentary Film Festival. It is the only film festival of its kind in Iran. Shirdel is currently visiting America with his wife.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
