This month’s 2^nd Sunday Cinema movie is

THE IRAN JOB

Sunday, April 13th at 3:00pm at historic Potter Auditorium

 A film by Till Schauder

United States, Iran and Germany / Documentary / English and Persian with English subtitles / 93 min.

SYNOPSIS When American basketball player Kevin Sheppard accepts a job to play in one of the world’s most feared countries – Iran – he expects the worst. But what he finds is a country brimming with generosity, acceptance, and sensuality. With a charismatic personality that charms everyone he meets, Kevin forms an unlikely friendship with three outspoken Iranian women who share with him their strong opinions on everything, from politics to religion to gender roles. Kevin’s season in Iran eventually culminates in something much bigger than basketball: the uprising and subsequent suppression of Iran’s reformist Green Movement – a powerful prelude to the sweeping changes currently unfolding across the Middle East in the wake of the Arab Spring.  (Movie synopsis from Film Movement.)

“Sad and hopeful in equal measure, and exceptional in its storytelling.”
—Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times

FESTIVALS AND AWARDS

OFFICIAL SELECTION:
Los Angeles Film Festival
Spokane International Film Festival
San Diego Asian Film Festival
Bahamas International Film Festival
Houston’s Iranian Film Festival
Starz Denver Film Festival

Director Schauder says: I wanted to make a documentary that plays like a movie. No “experts,” no talking heads, no political statements. Instead I wanted action, humor and romance. I did want a film that touches on the issues around Iran (political, religious, etc), but purely through the characters and the real-life drama in front of me, as opposed to high-brow intellectualism. For this approach I needed an exceptional protagonist – someone whose personality would create conflict, allow humor and attract other exceptional characters. It was important that “Iran”– which conjures up all kinds of associations – was the backdrop to the film, not the main character. And I needed a platform that’s not about politics or religion. Sports seemed the perfect medium.

2nd Sunday Cinema is brought to you by the library, Chatfield Center for the Arts, Wits’ End Theatre and the Chatfield Lions.

This monthly event is free, ages 17+ welcome, refreshments will be available for purchase.

Join us for award-winning foreign or independent films on the 2^nd Sunday of each month!