Jahangir Golestanparast
Jahangir Golestan-Parast, was born in Isfahan, Iran in 1951, and raised in a family of restaurateurs. Leaving Iran at the age of 17, Jahangir pursued educational studies and business interests in London and France before finally settling in southern California 's Orange County. He has studied film making at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
He has lived in four countries and traveled to 40 countries, which has provided a unique perspective on the many cultures that comprise today's world. His desire to make films was initially kindled as a young teenager watching American films in Iranian movie theaters, and later to depict the rich Persian history and culture, and the hospitality of its people.
Jahangir's first documentary “ Isfahan, A City Known as Half the World,” based on the city of his birth, was released in 1997, and became the first in a documentary series known as “The Essence of Iran Series.” In 2000, Jahangir released “ Iran, a Video Journey” which captures the life of a typical modern-day Iranian. Both films achieved critical acclaim and accolades.
As Jahangir was preparing to produce a third video in the Essence of Iran series, the Bam earthquake struck. As he experienced the worldwide outpouring of assistance, Jahangir realized that there was a story to be told (of an American tourist caught in the Earthquake and saved by the Iranian rescuers). A story, not of devastation, but of hope. A story that could help ease ethnic tensions based on misunderstandings and unfounded beliefs. Despite numerous personal and financial difficulties over a five-year period, Jahangir was able to release “Bam 6.6” in 2008. The new release immediately received Awards in Noor Film Festival 2008, in the following categories: Best Story, Best Documentary and Best Director.
Bam 6.6 was also made possible by generous grants from Massiah Foundation and "From The Heart Production" with grants from Roy W. Dean Grant Foundation. The editing and theatrical trailer was done by Bill Woolery, and Divertimento Productions, responsible for numerous video promos and edits for documentaries, independent features (such as Paradise) and works by Disney and DreamWorks such as Ghosts of the Abyss, Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron, The Usual Suspects, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.
Jahangir Golestan-Parast Filmography
- Isfahan , A City Known as Half the World (1997)
- Iran, A video Journey (2000)
- Bam 6.6 (2008)
Testimonials
Critics, audiences and celebrities such as Reza Badiyi (famed Iranian-American Director) and Bruce Laingen (former U.S. diplomat in Tehran) have praised this movie. There are also numerous interviews, such as:
