By: debbie lynn elias
Making its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival 2012 in the Documentary Competition category is THE IRAN JOB. A powerhouse film directed by Till Schauder and led on-screen by former pro basketball player Kevin Sheppard, we journey into the heart of Iran to follow Kevinfs first year playing basketball for Team A.S. Shiraz in the Iranian Super League. But THE IRAN JOB isnft just about a man playing basketball in Iran. As the camera follows Kevin, we are introduced to the “common people” and culture of Iran and thanks to three very courageous young woman whom Kevin befriends, we get an up close and personal view and understanding of life, politics and social demands within Iran.
I had the great fortune to obtain exclusive interviews with two of these women – Hilda, former physiotherapist for team Shiraz, and Laleh, a young woman who fights for the rights of Iranian women – and find out more about their lives and the experience of participating in this film. However, to insure their safety, their family names are still being omitted as are their current locations, with our interviews being done via e-mail with questions pre-approved. Responses are as written by each girl and pursuant to my agreement with them, unedited.
As one can easily tell just on reading this interview, Laleh is passionate about the future of her country, the rights of women and an understanding of each other and each otherfs cultures, among people and nations throughout the world. She is a woman whom I hope I will have the good fortune to one day meet in person.
Read on to learn about Laleh, Iran and THE IRAN JOB.
Why did you agree to participate in this documentary and go on camera, let alone speak as candidly as you do about life in Iran?
Before I knew about the film I knew Kevin. I was a friend of his. I’d recognized that prior to coming to Iran he had some perceptions of Iranians’ life that were not compatible with reality. For example, Kevin told us that before he came he thought we all ride on camels; and he said Iranians were often portrayed as terrorist in America. He took most of his information from American news, which often seems to portray an inaccurate picture of Iranians. Till (the film’s director) said the main purpose of the film is cultural exchange and to show a more realistic side of Iranians’s life style, and so I agreed to take part in the film. In order to demonstrate a real picture of Iran I had to express my earnest opinion – and openly – as I always do. I tried not to cross any red lines. And I want to mention that I am just one single individual in Iran. The fact that I was able to express my ideas this way doesn’t mean that all or even most of Iranians agree with me, but I am a part of the society.
Did you fear for your safety and that of your family should anyone within the country and a supporter of the current regime see the film?
Yes there were some worries. But since I think that we (as Iranians) need to have cultural exchange and need to get closer to international society, and because the film was not supposed to be shown in Iran I ignored those worries.
An interesting part of the film is when the boys are trying to “sneak” you out of their apartment during the night. Were you afraid you would be seen? And why?
Yes, because my friendship with Kevin could cause problems for me, and I was also worried about the neighbors and their thoughts, and that they would talk or gossip about it.
While the premise of the documentary is about Kevin going to Iran to play basketball, the most interesting aspects of the film are about you girls. If there is one thing that you could tell the American audience about yourself and your experience of making this film, what would it be?
It was very interesting for me to have a friendship with a native English speaker who comes from a different culture and has different views. Communicating with him and exchanging cultural differences, and overcoming them, was very inspiring. I hope more people will have an opportunity do it – in Iran and in America. Hopefully the film will help create an opportunity for this.
What would you like the audience to know about life in Iran for women today?
Life in Iran, especially these days, is very difficult for both women and men. But despite all the limitations for women I am really proud to say that women have reached great success and progress in terms of social, economical, cultural and many other aspects. And they are acting and persevering beside men in this society.
What would you like to see changed about life in Iran for women today?
Certain discriminatory rules, especially family rules, and women’s rights as wives and mothers – they should be adjusted to express equal rights.
Did you ever imagine that an American basketball player would come to Iran, let alone imagine having a big Black American basketball player as a friend?
I’d never imagined such a thing because before knowing Kevin I wasn’t involved with basketball that much. But once I started to study English I was interested in meeting people from different cultures and communicating with them and knowing about their life styles, viewpoints and thoughts.
What’s your favorite memory of being with Kevin in Iran? And favorite thing about Kevin?
The first time that we went for dinner with Kevin and all of my English classmates was very memorable for me (Note: when I met Kevin I was taking an English class with other young students). My favorite thing about Kevin was his personality and his deep views of life. And I really liked it when he called me “philosopher.”
Do you believe that sports can be a bridge to bring people and cultures together?
Yes it can be, but only if politicians don’t intervene in it.
Do you think that basketball helps to do that in Iran?
I’m curious to see for myself. Basketball is not quite as popular as soccer or wrestling in Iran. But let’s see the reactions to this film…
Have you befriended any other players – American (if there have even been any) or otherwise over the years?
No.
Who is your favorite basketball player in the world today? Favorite team?
I’m afraid I haven’t followed basketball since Kevin left A.S. Shiraz.
Do you have any regrets about doing this film?
No, not at all.
What are you doing today? Married? Working?
I’m continuing my education.
Do you hope to come to the United States one day?
I always want to see different places with different cultures, customs and lifestyles but not only and not specifically the U.S. I did very much want to attend the film’s world premiere in Los Angeles. However although the Film Festival wrote a letter of invitation arguing for the cultural benefit of my brief visit, and although Till had sent another letter guaranteeing he would pay my way and all of my expenses, the U.S. embassy that I was dealing with declined my visa for U.S.
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THE IRAN JOB: Exclusive 1:1 Interview with Iranian Citizen, HILDA
Read on to learn about Hilda, Iran and THE IRAN JOB. . .
Why did you agree to participate in this documentary and go on camera, let alone speak as candidly as you do about life in Iran?
The reason was Kevin’s attitudes towards my country before he came to Iran. I think his views and perceptions of Iranians represented the views of average Americans – and there were quite a few misperceptions. It was really surprising (and often shocking) to hear from him what Americans think about us, so I thought participating in this film could be a good way to show regular life in Iran without any special political views or agenda.
Did you fear for your safety and that of your family should anyone within the country (Iran) and a supporter of the current regime see the film?
Of course I did. Actually, I hesitated a bit at the beginning but because the film wasn’t supposed to be shown in Iran I ignored my concerns. To be honest I would be afraid if I was in Iran at the time of the film’s world premiere.
An interesting part of the film is when the boys are trying to “sneak” you out of their apartment during the night. Were you afraid you would be seen? And why?
Yes I didn’t like to be seen by Kevin’s neighbours, especially his Iranian teammates who lived in the same building. In Iran it is illegal for women to visit a man’s house (unless the man is related to you). It is also culturally not acceptable. So being seen with Kevin in his apartment, or leaving his apartment could affect my career because I was the team’s physiotherapist.
While the premise of the documentary is about Kevin going to Iran to play basketball, the most interesting aspects of the film are about you girls. If there is one thing that you could tell the American audience about yourself and your experience of making this film, what would it be?
We had a really great time during the shooting of the film, for example, the day we visited Persepolis with Kevin, or when we used to meet with Kevin and Zoran (Kevin’s roommate and teammate from Serbia) at his apartment to talk about different aspects of our cultures.
What would you like the audience to know about life in Iran for women today?
What I’d like to highlight is how much women have progressed in spite of all the sexual and gender discriminations. Today there are many educated, aware and independent women in Iran who are very successful in different aspects of their lives, including when they have to compete with men in the work place.
What would you like to see changed about life in Iran for women today?
I wish to see equality before the law.
Did you ever imagine that an American basketball player would come to Iran, let alone imagine having a big Black American basketball player as a friend?
At the physical therapy office where I worked we sometimes had foreign patients and quite a few athletes so it was not that surprising to have Kevin as one of the patients. But having him – an American basketball player – as a close friend was certainly unusual. I never imagined it.
What’s your favorite memory of being with Kevin in Iran? And favorite thing about Kevin?
My favorite thing about our friendship were our discussions over different subjects. But the most important thing was that he respected me and my opinions, and views. I liked his attitude toward life and his believes. I think the relationship benefited both of us equally: I could practice English with him and get to know Western culture through him; and on the other hand I could also help him cope with his difficulties living abroad, and letting him understand my culture better.
Do you believe that sports can be a bridge to bring people and cultures together?
Yes, definitely. I think it is one of the best ways to promote and actually “live” cultural exchange.
Do you think that basketball helps to do that in Iran?
Although it’s not quite like soccer in my country, basketball has become much more popular in Iran. So I personally think it can help.
Have you befriended any other players – American (if there have even been any) or otherwise over the years?
Yes, but not as close as Kevin.
Who is your favorite basketball player in the world today? Favorite team?
I haven’t follow much basketball since I left Iran.
Do you have any regrets about doing this film?
No, not at all. I am happy the film gives me an opportunity to speak on behalf of many women in my country. I don’t speak for all women in Iran, of course, but I think for quite a few of them.
What are you doing today? Married? Working?
At the moment I’m studying English in the UK and I will also continue my education in physiotherapy here in the UK next year. I am not married.
Do you hope to come to the United States one day?
I like to visit all different parts of the world to learn and to grow as a person. I think it is essential to learn from different cultures and to experience different views. That was one of the reasons I left Iran. The United States is just one of the countries I’d like to visit. I actually tried very hard to come to the film’s world premiere in Los Angeles to see for myself how an American audience reacts to a film like this. This would have been a great opportunity for me to get a taste of America and to again foster cultural exchange. But unfortunately the U.S. embassy in London declined my visa application.
I think it’s safe to say that, so far, Americans are responding more than enthusiastically to THE IRAN JOB.
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debbie lynn elias, interview 06/20/2012
