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Quote by Hamid Dabashi

“The visual possibility of seeing the historical person (as opposed to the eternal Qur'anic man) on screen is arguably the single most important event allowing Iranians access to modernity.”

Book:Close Up: Iranian Cinema, Past, Present, and Future

Work

Close Up: Iranian Cinema, Past, Present, and Future

This book delves into the evolution of Iranian cinema, examining its rich history, influential filmmakers, and the cultural impact of its films. It analyzes the unique characteristics of Iranian cinema, including its social and political themes, and offers insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the industry in the modern era. more

Author

Hamid Dabashi

Hamid Dabashi is an Iranian-American scholar specializing in comparative literature, Middle Eastern studies, and film studies. Born on June 15, 1951, he is currently a professor of comparative literature at Columbia University. more

“While [European] national cultures were concocted to distinguish one economic unit of capital from another, civilizational thinking was invented to unify these cultures against their colonial consequences. Islamic, Indian, or African civilizations were invented contrapuntally by Orientalism... in order to match, balance and thus authenticate 'Western Civilization'.”

Thinking Order Culture Economic Balance Civilization Consequence Western Indian Islamic Units Western Civilization Orientalism National Culture

Author:Hamid Dabashi

“I am still suffering from my experience in Rwanda, I never know when I'm going to drive my car off a bridge, or just decide to take my life.”

Knows Stills Suffering Car Bridges Rwanda

Author:Roméo Dallaire

“For most countries, serving the UN's objectives has never seemed worth even the smallest of risks. Member nations do not want a large, reputable, strong and independent United Nations, no matter their hypocritical pronouncements otherwise. What they want is a weak, beholden, indebted scapegoat of an organization, which they can blame for their failures or steal victories from.”