The Latest From Iran

Well it seems that while one faction of the Govt. approved my going to Iran, the Foreign Ministry said NO.

I have been told that this can be over turned...so I am still waiting and fortunately the Cultural advisor Javad Shamaqdari is in my corner. Patience is needed when dealing with such issues! I am interested to hear that there is a group from Hollywood visiting Iran now (not filming however!) The posted articles are from Iranian site Press TV.


Iran denies US director Nickelson visa? Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:25:24 GMT

American documentary maker and head of the UAE-based Mirage Holdings Michelle Nickelson has been refused an entry visa into Iran.

Nickelson and her LA crew had obtained permits from the Iranian government to visit the country and make a documentary about its upcoming presidential election. Iran's Foreign Ministry has however denied the American documentary maker and her team entrance to the country.

“Unfortunately the visa denial has delayed Ms. Nickelson's visit to Iran,” film producer Mohammad-Reza Eslamlou told Fars News Agency.

Eslamlou, who was to contribute to the project, criticized the Foreign Ministry's decision saying that the American filmmaker only intended to bridge the gap between Iranians and Americans.

“I wonder why hostile foreign news agencies are allowed to freely make films in Iran and arrange interviews with high-ranking officials but Ms. Nickelson who wants to portray democracy in our country is not welcome,” said Eslamlou.

Michelle Nickelson's We the People of the Islamic Republic of Iran was to explore the election process in Iran.

"We want to interview a broad representation of people living there and how it feels for them in the run-up to the upcoming presidential election," Nickelson said in a 2008 interview.

"Most Americans don't realize that, in addition to the Shia, there is also a Jewish and Christian community in Iran and they have representation in the government," she said. TE/HGH


US producer to film Iran elections Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:22:31 GMT

An Iranian woman casts her ballot.Head of the UAE based Mirage Holdings Michelle Nickelson is slated to make a documentary on Iran's upcoming presidential election.

We the People of the Islamic Republic of Iran will explore the election process in the country. "We want to interview a broad representation of people living there and how it feels for them in the run-up to next summer's presidential election," Nickelson said.

"Most Americans don't realize that, in addition to the Shi'ah, there is also a Jewish and Christian community in Iran and they have representation in the government," she added.

According to Hollywood Reporter, Nickelson and her LA crew have obtained permits from the Iranian government to visit the country next year and scout for locations as well as finding interviewees.

This is while the cultural adviser to Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Javad Shamaqdari has announced that Nickelson's documentary will portray democracy in Iran and is not intended as an election advertisement for the incumbent president. TE/HGH