Iranian Film Defies Ban, Wins Award at Sundance
An Iranian feature film, secretly filmed in Tehran and smuggled out of the country, won a jury award at the Sundance Film Festival, according to multiple news sources. Titled "The Friend's House is Here," the film offered a glimpse into Tehran's vibrant underground arts scene.
The film is set after the Iran-Israel war and portrays the challenges faced by young artists who continue to express themselves through art, music, and social media despite government crackdowns, according to NPR Politics. The film focuses on themes of sisterhood and community.
In other Sundance news, Neon, the studio behind "Parasite" and "Anora," won a heated bidding war for U.S. rights to "Once Upon a Time in Harlem," a documentary conceived and filmed in 1972 by the late William Greaves and restored and directed. The documentary was conceived and filmed in 1972 by the late William Greaves and restored and directed.
Sundance also showcased Isabel Sandoval's new Filipino noir film, "Moonglow," which is receiving mixed reviews, noted for its slow pacing and delayed title card, according to Variety.
Beyond Sundance, Bad Bunny, the headliner of the Super Bowl LX halftime show, continued to make waves with his fashion choices. His embrace of jíbaro fashion, which refers to the clothing of rural farmers in Puerto Rico, has transformed the symbol into a global representation of Puerto Rican identity and resistance, according to Time. By centering a once-exploited and later stigmatized symbol of rural Puerto Rican life in global pop culture, he reverses centuries of elite appropriation and erasure. When Bad Bunny wears a pava (straw hat) designed by Neysha de León at the 2025 Met Gala or a guayabera (shirt with four pockets) designed by Yazmín Yayi Pérez, the impact goes far beyond style.
In other news, David Wright, president of Dave Wright Nissan Subaru in Hiawatha, Iowa, was named the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year at the 109th National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas, according to Time. The award, now in its 57th year, is recognized as one of the auto industry’s highest honors. Wright was selected for his remarkable leadership in the automotive industry and his longstanding dedication to community service. He has fostered a culture built around people and community impact and has been recognized by Automotive News as a Best Dealerships to Work For 12 times.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment