Author: Bijan Tehrani

XARA is an innovative developer of image editing and web design solutions. To learn more about Xara products we spoke to Charles Moir.Charles, founder of Xara in 1981 was responsible for creating the early successful products such as Wordwise one of the earliest and most popular word processors for Microcomputers.His company developed a wide range of innovative products throughout the history of the personal computer. Charles has been responsible for many industry firsts, from the world’s first spell check-as-you-type in the 1980s, to many of the industry standard features found in modern graphics software. It was from the rewards of…

This weekend, June 21-23, at the American Cinematheque Egyptian and Aero Theaters, Los Angeles film lovers will have a chance to see an interesting review of recent Croatian cinema. We have talked to Kino Croatia producer Matko B. Malinger. Bijan Tehrani: Please tell us about the Kick-off party of Kino Croatia and how it went.Matko B. Malinger: We had the Kino Croatia 2013 Kick-Off party at the DOMA Restaurant in Beverly Hills. They have a very charming loft upstairs – a dream place for special events. You can screen films there and have 70 – 80 people seated at the tables.…

Amin Jaafari (Ali Suliman, Paradise Now) is an Israeli Palestinian surgeon, fully assimilated into Tel Aviv society. He has a loving wife, an exemplary career, and many Jewish friends. But his picture perfect life is turned upside down after a suicide bombing in a restaurant leaves nineteen dead, and the Israeli police inform him that his wife, Sihem (Reymonde Amsellem, Lebanon) who also died in the explosion, was responsible. Convinced of her innocence, Amin abandons the relative security of his adopted homeland and enters the Palestinian territories in pursuit of the truth. Once there, he finds himself in ever more…

Californian pianist Soheil Nasseri performs regularly in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, including Alice Tully Hall (Lincoln Center), Weill Recital Hall (Carnegie Hall) and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, Berlin’s Philharmonie Kammermusiksaal and Konzerthaus, London’s Purcell Room, Tokyo’s Musashino Center, Théâtre Fémina in Bordeaux, Florence’s Teatro Comunale, St. Petersburg’s Philharmonia, and Palermo’s Teatro Politeama. As concerto soloist Mr. Nasseri has appeared with 10 different conductors and as a recording artist he released 6 solo discs on Naxos, Centaur, Mahoor, and 21CCC. Mr. Nasseri has premiered 25 new works and 9 composers have written pieces specifically…

TRIAL BY FIRE: Lives Re-forged celebrates the courage and strength of burn survivors as they reclaim their lives after the devastation of fire. The film follows the journeys of ordinary people who rise above their injuries to discover unexpected insights and a transformed worldview. Through extraordinary courage, grit, and determination, all re-forge their destinies by first embracing – and then achieving – new dreams. These powerful stories are framed and given insight by U.S. veteran, actor, and speaker, J.R. Martinez.When metal is forged with fire it becomes stronger. It turns out the same is true of the human spirit.Bijan Tehrani: …

This Sunday, in the picturesque loft of Doma Restaurant, overlooking the charming streets of Beverly Hills, Kino Croatia – Croatian Film series at American Cinematheque – will have a Kick-off party for its 2013 year edition, which is taking place June 21-23 at the Egyptian and Aero Theatres. The central part of this event is Los Angeles premier of 30 minutes documentary “Cooking for Hollywood” featuring John Woo, Adam Beach, John Travolta, Christian Slater, Peter Stormare and many other big names – and starring Tony Kerum. Who is Tony Kerum? – We asked that question Matko B. Malinger, the creator…

In Sightseers Chris (Steve Oram) wants to show Tina (Alice Lowe) his world and he wants to do it his way – on a journey through the British Isles in his beloved Abbey Oxford Caravan. Tina’s led a sheltered life and there are things that Chris needs her to see – the Crich Tramway Museum, the Ribblehead Viaduct, the Keswick Pencil Museum and the rolling countryside that accompanies these wonders in his life. But it doesn’t take long for the dream to fade. Litterbugs, noisy teenagers and pre-booked caravan sites, not to mention Tina’s meddling mother, soon conspire to shatter…

Venus and Serena takes an unfiltered look into the remarkable lives of the greatest sister-act professional tennis has ever seen. In a sport where they were not welcomed, the indomitable Williams sisters faced the opposition with grace and courage not only breaking new ground for female and African American athletes everywhere, but dominating the women’s game for over a decade. The film tells the inspiring story of how these two women, against all odds, but the help of visionary parents, made it to the top. Venus and Serena also explores the struggle of these two aging superstars during the 2011…

“Czech That Film” International Film Festival, LA opened on May 10th and will continue through June 3rd. This is the second annual touring program of the best new films from the Czech Republic, presented by The Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Los Angeles and Staropramen . The series is organized and curated by the UCLA Film & Television Archive, and will take place at the Billy Wilder Theater in Westwood. We interviewed Mr. Michal Sedláček, Consul General of the Czech Republic about the “Czech That Film” International Film Festival, LA.Mr. Sedláček has been working as a diplomat since…

A filmmaker by trade, Harun Mehmedinovic took up photography as a hobby during his road trips across America. Years later, his project “Bloodhoney*” became one of the most successful Kick starter photography campaigns of all time. Harun’s photographs have been featured by major publications, including Vogue Italia and the Los Angeles Times. Prior to his venture into professional photography, Harun’s film “In the Name of the Son” premiered at Telluride Film Festival and won over thirty international awards including Shanghai, Savannah, and Cleveland film festivals. It was the first live action short film to receive an exclusive screening for the…