Programme Details

On tonight's Night Waves, as one of the world's greatest filmmakers, Abbas Kiarostami, brings his photographs, art and a new film to British shores, Susan Hitch talks to him about why he has made a film which has no plot, no dialogue and no characters. 

Susan explores contemporary Iranian culture as elections approach in the country recently deemed by America to be one third of the 'axis of evil'. How are the values of a population, 50% of whom are under 25, co-existing or conflicting with the values of its Islamic clerics?

And how is this culture continually being underpinned by the still proud face of Persia? Join Susan Hitch tonight at 9.30pm.





Presenter: Susan Hitch
Producer: Kirsty Pope 







Additional Information:

Abbas Kiarostami's photography exhibition, film of the Ta'ziyeh and art installation, Forest Without Leaves is at the V&A museum in London from the 3rd May. For more information go to www.iranheritage.organd follow the links.

Kiarostami's new film Five is opening at the National Film Theatre on the 20th May, certificate U.
There will be a Kiarostami retrospective at the National Film Theatre beginning on the 1st May.
Channel 4's Cinema Iran season, including the film 20 Fingers and the two documentaries by Mark Cousins runs from the 3rd May until the 23rd June. For more details go to www.channel4.com
Saqi Books are publishing a book 'The Cinema of Abbas Kiarostami' by Alberto Elena.
Modern Iran Since 1921 by Dr Ali Ansari is published by Longman.