Iran Trip

So it seems the question I keep hearing is "Why would you want to go to Iran? Aren't you afraid something will happen to you?"

Well I cannot predict the future, but I don't see it as being dangerous. On several occasions, Iran offered to enter into discussions regrading their nuclear program with the US and EU. Then in Nov of 2006, Ahmedinejad wrote an open letter to both Bush and the American people. This is what was the inspiration for getting Oliver Stone involved with this.

Now I'm not saying that I agree with everything that was in Ahmedinejad's address. However, why not open a conversation? The worst thing that could happen....is nothing. It certainly can't hurt anything. 

If you have not read this address, here is a link.

Ahmedinejad also wrote a letter to President Bush which is similar, here is the BBC link to it.

As to why I am going, I think that once you take politics out of it, most people want the same thing. A job where they can make enough money to have a decent life, to care for and enjoy their family and friends.

On our first trip there, we are planning to film people in the street and ask them their views on Americans and what they think about us. We will post these daily to a website which is being set up for this, so people can see what the response is. It will be interesting to speak to people old enough to have lived through the Revolution of 1979 and young people, who have only known having a President.

The follow up trip later this year, will be to film the actual documentary. 

This is a Test....

While I know those on the East side probably already know the answers, I bet most people on the West side don't. Here goes...

1. Do you have a CitiBank Credit Card? Did you know that the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) in the UAE bailed out floundering CitiBank to the tune of $7 billion? Did you know they also just bought the iconic Chrysler Building in New York? ADIA is currently the world's largest sovereign wealth fund. the second largest one is in China.

2. Did you know that the largest foreign owner of real estate in the US is the Middle East? Various companies and Govt. wealth funds across the Middle East own more real estate in our country, than any other foreign country.

3. Did you know that the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Saudi are all allies of the US and that we have either a land or sea military presence (or both) in most of these countries?

4. Did you know that HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, made a donation of $100 million to the Hurricane Katrina disaster?

If you knew the answers to 2 or more questions, apparently you read the news. If you didn't know any of the answers...perhaps you should start reading.

Friday 08/15

I now have a crew together to film in Iran and am waiting on news regarding my visa. We are "planning" to go on a scouting trip in Sept. then back to film in Nov. It all depends on what the Iranians say.

It's amazing how many people in the US still think that a place like Abu Dhabi (AD)/Dubai must be full of terrorists.

I spoke to someone yesterday and when he asked where I lived and I said "The UAE, you know Dubai, AD," his answer was "Why, isn't there a lot of unrest there?"

There is zero unrest in AD, sometimes things happen in Dubai. I have friends in the police/CID there and yes, sometimes there are problems and we hear about them, but very few, especially in comparison to LA. Probably the only unrest would be a guy with a handful of hundreds down in Bur Dubai...that would certainly stir up the working girls...

Coming from Los Angeles, it's a WHOLE lot safer in AD. I don't go to an ATM machine in LA after dark, in AD you go whenever you want, no one bothers you. My girlfriend and go walking down by the water in the evening and again, people don't bother you at all and there are lots of families there. In fact, when I get back to LA, I have to keep remembering that I have to pay attention to other people and be alert. This is not the case in the UAE.

Eventually...hopefully...Americans will start to realize that every Arab is NOT a terrorist, that is a stereotype that keeps being put out there. It has been an educational compare/contrast for me living in both places.

A Hat For The Camel

This is a short film I got a chance to see, which is really good. Tasha Brodie and her son, Thomas Sangster are involved with this through their film company, Brodie Films. Brodie Films is an independent film company that was started in 2006.

I met Tasha, Thomas and his sister Ava when they came to AD last year for a charity event screening of the film, The Last Legion, for The Manzil Center. Thomas has done quite a few movies, but is best known for Love Actually and Nannie Mcphee. He is set to star in a three picture deal for the Steven Spielberg/Peter Jackson franchise, Tin Tin. Thomas plays the main character, Tin Tin.

This first film from their company is very well done and it's a period piece which takes place during the Second World War. Tasha acts in the film and she also adapted it from a radio play written by her grandfather, Anthony Bertram. Thomas is the Executive Producer. Tasha has written several other scripts and did the sound track for the film. She is a quite a talented musician as well and actually started her career as a ballerina with the London City Ballet.

Their first feature film, Goddess, will be shot next summer. We are working to get A Hat For The Camel into the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, MEIFF, this fall.

Photo courtesy of Brodie Films

Big Cat Rescue

We ended up filming the trailer for Big Cat Rescue in June. It is being done for International TV, my pitch being it's like the Osbourne's with tigers and lons. Ronel and her kids Chrissie and Steve, plus the feline family, are the stars.

Then Jeffrey Fleishman from the Los Angeles Times came to AD to do an article about me being an American woman in the entertainment business in the Middle East.

While he was here, I took him to AD Wildlife Center to see the place. Jeffrey ended up doing this piece for the LA Times on Ronel. Enjoy!

Back in LA Land/Iran Film

Ok, for the weekend, I am in AZ visiting my parents. And I was hoping to get away from the heat, it's actually hotter here than AD, but no humidity.

It has been a little hectic trying to put together a crew to take to film in Iran. I think most think I have lost my senses....

This will be a companion piece to the Oliver Stone/Mahmoud Ahmedinejad project. After having this project initially rejected (comments further down)...I ended up sending a letter to the President's office, and was informed that he had changed his mind, so it's now approved. It would be great if Mr. Stone decides to go ahead with this, but he's the person who decides. Even if it does go forward, it probably would not be until next year.

I had tried to find some investors for his film W but in the end, it was too controversial for the investors I know in the GCC. I did get a copy of the script, it's a great story, even if you are not a Bush fan.

The new Iran film will be about the Presidential Election process. I think most in the US forget that they also elect a president in Iran. Everyone's going to say "Yeah, but that's different," so we will go and see what it means to vote in Iran. I am currently writing the script, a documentary is quite different, as I have to do a lot of research into the history of Iran and their politics. Interesting stuff.

Without giving away too much, I have selected a known, diverse group to speak with. I have initial approval for this project, however, I ended up changing a few of the people I wanted to meet, so I am waiting to hear back on permission for the changes. For this project, we will not be interviewing President Ahmedinejad, as I don't think anyone could do this as well as Mr. Stone.

Javad, who works in the President's office is amazingly helpful getting things done for the project. Now I just have to get a crew together to take there. More on this tomorrow, as it's Sunday here.

This is Maya. She was seized from the airport as she was being sold on the black market. She was covered in sores and almost dead.

Maya was taken to ADWC and Ronel and her children nursed her back to health and she is now a beautiful full grown tigress. These magnificent animals should be in their natural habitat, however, with the black market sales of big cats both live and for body parts, their fate in the wild is not certain.

We recently filmed a promotional trailer for a TV show we are filming for US television, Big Cat Rescue. The funds were generously donated for the filming from the Al Bustan Wildlife Center and HH Sh. Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, The President of the UAE's, internal department that deals with the environment.

I would encourage everyone who is concerned about the fate of these animals to visit the ADWC to learn more about them. If you did not see the Gulf News video yet, here it is, or you can visit their website.

Photos by Ronel Smuts and Janet Hunt

Abu Dhabi Wildlife Center

If you have not seen the Gulf News video, please take a moment to watch it.

Ronel Smuts is an amazing woman! She has dedicated her heart and soul to saving these animals. To be around her is an inspiration.

She is a lovely friend who has taught me a lot about big cats. Ronel and her kids, Chrissie and Steve run the center.

We recently had a reporter from the Los Angeles Times visit ADWC and Ronel and the ADWC will be featured in the LA Times, one of the top 3 US newspapers. We are looking to get the word out about the ADWC Internationally, and the efforts the UAE is making to conserve wildlife.

Above is a photo of Chrissie and Shaggy having his milk with vitamins. He is one of three white lions at the ADWC.

Photo by Janet Hunt

Oliver Stone/Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

OK, usually I don't say much, but this has really pissed me off, as what The Iranian President's office put put there is 100% BS.

How do I know? Because this is my project. This is what happened:

Last year, after The President issued his "Letter to the American people," he stated that "There needed to be an open dialogue between Iranians and Americans." I qualify, I'm American and in the entertainment business.

So I thought, "Great, let's do a documentary." The more I thought about it, I realized the only director who would be able to do this and do an excellent job was Oliver Stone.

I contacted Mr. Stone and he expressed an interest. Then I contacted Iranian producer Mohammad Nikbin and he has the liaison with the President's office. Of a strange coincidence, Mohammad's wife, director Tahminah Milani, was arrested a few years ago in Iran (prior president) because of one of her films.

While the censorship board in Iran had approved it her film, somehow there was a misunderstanding and she was arrested. Really strange, there was a petition from International film makers calling for her release and apparently Mr. Stone was on the petition, so I understand.

Anyway, Mohammad spent a lot of time pushing this forward and things looked good. Then Mr. Stone contacted me and said that due to a new scheduling conflict, he could not do it when we had planned, so he would have to drop out. So I contacted Mohammad, and the contact person he had given me in the President's office and gave them the update. I thought perhaps we would regroup with a new director. End of story...

3 weeks later, the news relates that the President's office sent a message to Mr. Stone saying Mr. Stone had been refused and was part of "The Great Satan." No such message had EVER been sent, until it was published in the news. They had been informed that the project, with Mr. Stone on board would not go forward and had said NOTHING.

It is really unfortunate that something which in my opinion would have not only been really interesting, but provided a fair forum for President Ahmadinejad, was turned into a political statement. If he feels it is so important to have an open dialogue, the answer from his office does not express this! Even if President Ahmadinejad personally did not care for some of Mr. Stone's films, it is for certain that having him on board as director for this documentary would have presented President Ahmadinejad fairly.

So much is said about Western news not giving the other side a fair shake...but it works on both sides. I would still like to see this documentary get made, as I have nothing but admiration for the Iranian people and they have an amazing film community.

More Big Cats....

These are more cats from ADWC. Currently the facility is private and belongs to and is supported by HH Sh. Mansoor bin Zayed al Nahyan. It is moving to a bigger location with more space for the cats within a few months and the facility will be open to the public. The new facility is on the road towards to Emirates International Endurance Village.

Many of these cats are rescues from less than ideal situations and now live in a spotless, modern facility under the eye of Ronel Smuts, who is without a doubt, one of the most dedicated people to animal conservation I have ever met. What she has done is noting short or a miracle and without her devotion, many of these big cats would not be alive. Some of the stories about how some of the cats came to the center are horrific and both Ronel and HH Sh. Mansoor are to be commended on what has been accomplished.

The cheetahs represented at ADWC are Somali cheetahs and are an endangered sub species. The center has been successful in breeding the cats as Diego is proof of what dedication to saving these animals can do.

The black cat shown is a black leopard. The center also have tigers, caracals, jaguars and lions, a year old male lion Zulu, I was able to scratch him as well!

The ADWC does school programs to teach kids about animal conservation and why these are not pets in the hope that with education about these animals plight will bring a sense that we all need to work to keep these beautiful cats safe.

Please get involved, they will be looking for public support in the new center and what better than to be able to visit such amazing creatures and contribute to their survival.

Abu Dhabi Wildlife Center

Take a look at these babies! This is Diego the baby cheetah and Lilly, the serval cat. In the wild, they would never be together, but they have each other for company at the ADWC. Both were bottle fed babies as their mother's abandoned them.

We were guests at ADWC and what a treat seeing these big cats. I played with Diego as he is really outgoing and he purred like a kitty while being scratched. Then he wanted to play and took turns jumping on us! He reminds me of a Great Dane puppy, huge feet and long legs.

There is another pregnant cheetah who will deliver in about 1 month. While breeding cheetahs in captivity is not easy, so far, they have been successful.

Sunday April 8

I think I have finally recovered from Friday's event. Got the last people out on Etihad today (they were fantastic, thanks to DC there)

Here are some pictures from the Red Bull Air Races, they were great to send us as VIP guests, thanks to Antonis at Red Bull for taking such good care of us. These are of HH Sh. Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sir Ben Kingsley and hey that's me, Sheikha M in the first photo.

Friday

We "do" the Friday morning breakfast here in AD. Today there were 7 of us, it's great as all are from somewhere else (plus our local friends)

The small town thing...when you go into the neighborhood restaurant, you know everyone. I like it, it does give you a sense of a neighborhood.

Wed...

More running around getting things in order...Everyone in States always asks about Dubai as it does have the most publicity. But I like Abu Dhabi better of the two.

Less traffic, easier to get around and after awhile you know everyone. In a way it's a pain because you cannot run out to the store looking like a total mess.

It's interesting on the UAE blog how a lot of people write about expats not fitting in to the country and just staying with expats from their own country. I have a few Nationals who are friends (guys and girls) and cannot imagine why one would be in a foreign country and not want to have friends who are from that country.

Maybe because LA is a melting place of different cultures as well, you just have friends who are from all different walks of life. My Arabic is not so great, but I am learning...I was NEVER good with languages.

Shameless plug...both Etihad and Emirates Palace Hotel (EPH) have been AMAZING with their support. If you have not seen the EPH, it looks like something from a movie...and check out the Manzil Center for Challenged Individuals. It's a worth while charity and Sandi Saksena (who also hs an investment advice radio show as well as a bit in the paper) who works with fund raising and Ayesha Saeed Husaini, who is Dubai's first licensed educational psychologist are both passionate about Manzil.

Today...

Well it seems we have getting everything in order for the premiere. Being that it's the first one here, it has been a bit hectic. The last 3 days I realize by 4PM that I forgot to eat...

Fortunately I have a great support here (LOTS of thanks to AJ) and in US (thanks CN, SS, CN, JB) so this does make it easier! I get asked a lot, "How do you do this?" DETERMINATION is about 95% of it and imagination, the other 5%.

I am looking forward to meeting Sir Ben Kingsley, he is an amazingly talented actor. The event benefits The Manzil Center for Challenged Individuals.

Now for those in LA who wonder about the Sheikha part...my friends here all have nicknames. Mine (I didn't choose it) became Sheikha. It's a loooong story....