Over the course of the last fifteen years or so I have seen a number of Iranian films make it to American theaters on their own. Most Iranian films I see are part of film festivals that come to town and play in venues that are not commercial theaters. The few that make it to theaters are usually outstanding, but they also tend to be somewhat sentimental. Here are a few: The Color of Paradise, Children of Heaven, Baran (Rain), and The White Balloon. In many instances the films are very limited by what they are allowed to do, but somehow the really gifted Iranian directors turn this into an advantage and create works that surprise and delight their viewers.
The White Balloon (Bodkonake Sefid) made it to a number of arthouse theaters back in 1995, and it gained acclaim for the director, Jafar Panahi around the world. It is a story about an adorable little girl trying to buy a particular goldfish for New Year (Nurooz), which for Iranians comes on the first day a Spring. The movie is mostly on YouTube if you wish to take a look--embedding has been disabled, but here's a link: Bodkonake Sefid.
Nurooz as a holiday goes way back to Iran's distant Zoroastrian past, and back in 1979 with the establishment of the Islamic Republic they tried to curtail or eliminate holidays like Nurooz. This never worked, and Iranians celebrate Nurooz beginning with Chaharbhambe Suri, a night of jumping over fire on the last Wednesday of the year, Nurooz, which begins the second Spring arrives, (this year Saturday March 20th around 1:00 pm EST) to Sizdah Bidar, a day of outdoor picnicking 13 days after the arrival of Spring.
Bodkonake Sefid, and other Iranian films follow very strict rules regarding what they are allowed to show, and yet many directors successfully make compelling and original films. Some of them can be depressing, like much of Abbas Kirostami's work, while others idyllic in their portrayal of the virtues of poverty, like Majid Majidi. Other films by Mr. Panahi have been banned in Iran. Particularly The Circle, which depicts the lives of Iranian women and the struggles they face in the Islamic Republic. Film-makers disproportionately have supported the Green/Reform movement, and unfortunately Mr. Panahi was arrested yesterday. He has not yet been charged, but the lack of religious content in his films and his overt support for Mousavi, certainly made him a target.
Jafar Panahi
The government, so far, has avoided making a martyr out of Mir Hossein Mousavi, but those who are close to him are all in danger. See this recent article on Mousavi by Abbas Milani: New Republic February 17th. Numerous advisers and supporters have been arrested and some have been charged as the government and its' unofficial henchmen have tried to intimidate Reformers from speaking out or showing support for the Green Movement. The price of change in Iran will undoubtedly be high, and some people like Mr. Panahi are already paying it.