Newsletter Subscription

Use this form to sign up for our weekly newsletter, in order to receive Event updates, special deals, and promotional coupons in your area. We will not use your email address to send spam, and we will not provide your contact details to third parties.
  • فارسی
  • Home
  • Near Me
  • News
  • Articles & Entertainment
  • Add Event
  • Add Business
  • Advertise
  • More
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Near Me
  • Events
  • Business
  • Tickets
  • Deals
  • News
  • Latest News
  • Latest Topics
  • Top News
  • Most Visited News
  • Articles & Entertainment
  • Articles
  • Travel
  • Media
  • Near Me
  • Entertainment News
  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Health & Science
  • Iranians in Diaspora
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Blog
  • Travel
  • Tehran
  • Isfahan
  • Shiraz
  • Yazd
  • Persepolis
  • Kashan
  • Media
  • Radio/TV Stations
  • Music
  • Videos
  • More
  • Iranian Calendar
Kodoom
Kodoom.com فارسی
We Collect Iran-Related News and Local Events
Change Los Angeles
  • Home
  • Near Me
    • Events
    • Business
    • Tickets
    • Deals
  • News News
    • Latest News
    • Latest Topics
    • Top News
    • Most Visited News
  • Editorials & Media
    • Articles

      Entertainment News
      Politics
      Culture
      Health & Science
      Iranians in Diaspora
      Economy
      Sports
      Blog

      Travel

      Tehran
      Isfahan
      Shiraz
      Yazd
      Persepolis
      Kashan

      Media

      Radio/TV Stations
      Music
      Videos
  • Add
    • Add Event
    • Add Business
    • Advertise
  • More
    • Prominent Iranians
    • Pinglish to Farsi
    • Iranian Calendar
    • Search in:
  • Login
  • Subscribe
Home
Features
Iranians in Diaspora

Niki-Kermani defies taboos in her film about an immigrant Iranian woman

July 7, 2012
Entertainment , Iranians in Diaspora
Solmaz Niki-Kermani

Before Golshifteh Farahani appeared topless in Madame Le Figaro and in her recent movie as an act of protest, a young Iranian-American actress/director also defied taboos in her film about a free-spirited Iranian woman. Solmaz Niki-Kermani's short film TO THE MOON narrates the life story of an Iranian girl in America named Mahtab, using unprecedented brazen dialogue and even short instances of partially nude images. The girl grew up in the post-revolutionary Iran amidst the Iran-Iraq war, where she took shelter in her father's arms when bombs fell from the sky. She leaves behind her father and moves to America to advance her life. Now in her aunt’s Los Angeles home, Mahtab constantly fights with her family, and engages in behavior not well received in her society (see trailer below).

Solmaz Niki-Kermani was born in Iran, where she discovered her love for the arts. An honor student in Mathematics, she won a national best actress award for a play taped for Iranian cable TV at the age of sixteen. Less than a year later, Solmaz moved to the US to earn a degree in Liberal Arts from Harvard. She then moved to Los Angeles, where she met producer Russell Boast, who encouraged her to write her first screenplay, TO THE MOON. The two soon co-founded Mahtab Entertainment to produce the short feature film, helmed by English director Damian Harris, son of the late actor Richard Harris.

Solmaz Niki-Kermani

In addition to Niki-Kermani (acting as adult Mahtab), cast includes Iranian-American actor Navid Negahban, popular Iranian singer Nooshafarin Abdi, British actor Jamie Harris, and child actor Yanellie Ireland (playing Mahtab as a child). TO THE MOON received good reviews during a private screening event last month, taking place in Hollywood at Raleigh Studios (images below) and is an official selection in this year's Noor International Film Festival (Event page link here).

Navid Negahban (right) with Yanellie Ireland (playing Mahtab)
Producer Russell Boast (center) and Editor Yukako Shimada(right)

Niki-Kermani says her film is not centered on breaking taboos. She claims the film explores an identity crisis many Iranian American women and their families face: "The horror of her past, the move to a new country where nothing resembles the same, leaving her sick father behind, and settling into the new home in Los Angeles are all very taxing on Mahtab’s young mind. And so as a way to cope, Mahtab runs from her problems and self medicates. By the end of the film Mahtab learns freedom doesn’t happen overnight by moving to a new country. True freedom must first come from within."

The first public screening of the film is coming to Los Angeles (event link here). This is an opportunity for anyone, feminist or otherwise, to gain insight into the troubled mind of an Iranian woman and her trials and tribulations, through the lens of another Iranian woman, a film maker.

Related:
- Golshifteh Farahani appears naked again in controversial new movie (video)

Related to women:

  • Golshifteh Farahani appears naked again in controversial new movie (video)
  • Interview with Sahar Biniaz, Miss Universe Canada 2012 (video)
  • Shirin Shabestari: Iranian woman to climb Damavand for War Children
  • Summer for women: America, Iran, Turkey, Cannes!
  • (Video/Images) Leila Hatami announces Cannes 2012 Grand Prix (Grand Prize)
  • Pavaneh Kazemi, Iranian woman conquers World's tallest mountain
  • Sahar Biniaz crowned Miss Universe Canada: Iranians and Indians Celebrate
  • Iranian woman’s killing prompts the largest Crime Stopping award in US History: $200,000
  • Keyhan Farian: A Role model for Iranian women, An angel for South Bronx, New York
  • Rana Mansour: Sarab (I do not want a rich husband!) (video)
  • Best & Worst places to be a mother: Iran's ranking in the world?
  • Marjon Rostami, Iranian American reporter beaten in Virginia
  • (video) Superfit Azadeh Boroumand called "Untouchable" at CrossFit Games
  • (Video) Woman leaps on President Ahmadinedjad's car
  • Best and worst countries to be a woman: From motherhood to business, politics, sports

Related to Cinema:

  • Golshifteh Farahani appears naked again in controversial new movie (video)
  • (Video/Images) Leila Hatami announces Cannes 2012 Grand Prix (Grand Prize)
  • Lindsay Lohan: 25 Years in 60 seconds
  • Amazing LED light suit dance inspired by TRON (the movie)
  • Is this the prettiest woman's face?
  • TV show about Iranian-Americans premieres strongly (video)
  • Disorderly welcome reception for Farhadi in Tehran airport
  • American TV show portrays Iranians as successful, spoiled and dysfunctuonal!
  • "A Separation" by Farhadi wins an Oscar (Video)
  • Project X, A wild directorial debut for Iranian-British Nima Nourizadeh
  • Sad story of Macaulay Culkin and other child stars
  • Oliver Stone's son receives award from Ahmadinejad in Tehran
  • The story behind the shocking scene of flying men over New York
  • Press room with Asghar Farhadi, director of "A Separation"
  • Talented Leila Hatami fluent in four languages
© 2025 Kodoom LLC All Rights Reserved
Women
Cinema

Nearby Events or Businesses

Nooshafarin Mother's Day Concert in Los Angeles Sponsored Ad

Nooshafarin Mother's Day Concert in Los Angeles

Nooshafarin Mother's Day Concert in Los Angeles

6.7 miles
Glendale, CA
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Ticket Video
Advertise with us Sponsored Ad

Advertise with us

Advertise with us

Lower cost than Facebook, TV, Paper or Radio Ads: Show your ad to Geo-targeted users next to other top news and popular events for only $10-$50 per thousand viewers. Check out our advertisement packages.
Iranian Events Around the World Sponsored Ad

Iranian Events Around the World

Iranian Events Around the World

We process 500-1000 new events every month using data robots and user/advertiser submissions, and then list them on local maps in bilingual user-friendly Geo-targeted searchable formats. Try adding your event via our online form.
Sponsored Ad
Previous Next

News

  • MOST VISITED
  • TOP
  • LATEST
Israeli strikes on Gaza City restaurant and ...
BBC -   May 7, 2025
'This will be the work of years': The medics ...
BBC -   May 7, 2025
Israeli embassy in London was target of ...
BBC -   May 7, 2025
Israeli forces close UN-run schools in East ...
BBC -   22 hours ago
Israel PM 'uncertain' over condition of three ...
BBC -   May 8, 2025
Israeli forces close UN-run schools in East ...
BBC - 22 hours ago
Israel PM 'uncertain' over condition of three ...
BBC - May 8, 2025
Israeli embassy in London was target of ...
BBC - May 7, 2025
'This will be the work of years': The medics ...
BBC - May 7, 2025
Israeli strikes on Gaza City restaurant and ...
BBC - May 7, 2025
Houthis say US 'backed down' and Israel not ...
BBC - May 7, 2025
Jeremy Bowen: Netanyahu's plan for Gaza risks ...
BBC - May 6, 2025
Trump says US to stop attacking Houthis in ...
BBC - May 6, 2025
Israel attacks main airport in Yemen's capital ...
BBC - May 6, 2025
'No food when I gave birth': Malnutrition ...
BBC - May 6, 2025
Hamas says Gaza talks pointless while Israel ...
BBC - May 6, 2025
Americans used to be steadfast in their ...
BBC - May 5, 2025
Israel strikes Houthi targets in Yemen a day ...
BBC - May 5, 2025
Israel security cabinet approves plan to ...
BBC - May 5, 2025
Israeli army starts calling up reservists for ...
BBC - May 4, 2025
Eight arrested in two separate anti-terror ...
BBC - May 4, 2025
Syrian security forces 'oversaw' armed ...
BBC - May 4, 2025
Houthi missile hits near Israel's main airport
BBC - May 4, 2025
'I saved my ID card and my dog': Israel ...
BBC - May 2, 2025
Israel says it struck near Syria palace over ...
BBC - May 2, 2025
Activists say ship aiming to sail to Gaza was ...
BBC - May 2, 2025
Two Gazan girls first to arrive in UK for ...
BBC - May 2, 2025
Gaza kitchens warn food will run out in days ...
BBC - May 2, 2025
Israel fires largely controlled after mass ...
BBC - May 1, 2025
Deadly clashes in Syria's Druze areas raise ...
BBC - May 1, 2025
Israeli reservists speak out against Gaza war ...
BBC - Apr 30, 2025
Chaos on roads as residents flee rampant ...
BBC - Apr 30, 2025
Israel says it struck gunmen attacking Druze ...
BBC - Apr 30, 2025
First UK strikes on Houthis in Yemen under Trump
BBC - Apr 30, 2025
Israeli forces arrest prominent Palestinian ...
BBC - Apr 30, 2025
Life inside Iraq's 'Forbidden Zone' controlled ...
BBC - Apr 29, 2025
Gaza medic detained during deadly Israeli ...
BBC - Apr 29, 2025
Iran blames 'negligence' for port blast as ...
BBC - Apr 29, 2025
Israel spy chief to step down after row with ...
BBC - Apr 28, 2025
Top UN court examining if Israel must ...
BBC - Apr 28, 2025
Eight hundred Houthi targets hit after weeks ...
BBC - Apr 27, 2025
Israel launches air strike on Beirut
BBC - Apr 27, 2025
Qatar claims slight progress towards ceasefire ...
BBC - Apr 27, 2025
Mourning turns to anger in Iran after massive ...
BBC - Apr 27, 2025
Hundreds injured and deaths reported in ...
BBC - Apr 26, 2025
Moment driver sees huge explosion rip through ...
BBC - Apr 26, 2025
Israel's muted response to Pope Francis's ...
BBC - Apr 25, 2025
UN agency runs out of food aid in Gaza after ...
BBC - Apr 25, 2025
'Very, very toxic': The risk of asbestos in ...
BBC - Apr 24, 2025
Thousands march through Auschwitz ...
BBC - Apr 24, 2025
Israeli military admits its troops killed UN ...
BBC - Apr 24, 2025
Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 26, ...
BBC - Apr 24, 2025
Anti-Hamas protests on rise in Gaza as group's ...
BBC - Apr 23, 2025
Jordan bans Muslim Brotherhood after arrests ...
BBC - Apr 23, 2025
Abbas calls Hamas 'sons of dogs' and demands ...
BBC - Apr 23, 2025
Gaza health ministry denies manipulating death ...
BBC - Apr 22, 2025
We're orphans now, say Gaza Catholics the Pope ...
BBC - Apr 22, 2025
Man missing after rare shark attack in Israel
BBC - Apr 22, 2025
Trump backs defence secretary after reports of ...
BBC - Apr 21, 2025
New Israel-Gaza ceasefire plan proposed, Hamas ...
BBC - Apr 21, 2025
Palestinian Red Crescent says Israeli report ...
BBC - Apr 21, 2025
'Professional failures' led to killing of Gaza ...
BBC - Apr 20, 2025
Hopes for Iran nuclear talks tempered by ...
BBC - Apr 19, 2025
'It's really hard to have any hope': Gaza ...
BBC - Apr 18, 2025
US strikes on Yemen oil terminal kill at least ...
BBC - Apr 18, 2025
Syrians have more freedom after Assad, but ...
BBC - Apr 18, 2025
Hamas formally rejects Israeli ceasefire offer
BBC - Apr 17, 2025
Israeli strikes kill Palestinians in tented ...
BBC - Apr 17, 2025
Israeli troops will remain in Gaza 'security ...
BBC - Apr 16, 2025
Hamas says it has lost contact with US-Israeli ...
BBC - Apr 15, 2025
Arrests in Jordan over rocket and drone plots
BBC - Apr 15, 2025
Hamas rejects Israeli ceasefire disarmament ...
BBC - Apr 15, 2025
Iraq sandstorm leaves many with breathing problems
BBC - Apr 14, 2025
Palestinian student activist arrested at US ...
BBC - Apr 14, 2025
Conditions at Gaza hospitals 'beyond ...
BBC - Apr 14, 2025
Gaza medic missing since deadly attack being ...
BBC - Apr 14, 2025
Israeli air strike destroys part of last ...
BBC - Apr 13, 2025
US and Iran hold 'constructive' first round of ...
BBC - Apr 12, 2025
Israel says it will expand its offensive ...
BBC - Apr 12, 2025
What is Iran's nuclear programme and what does ...
BBC - Apr 12, 2025
As an Israeli hostage turns 48, his wife waits ...
BBC - Apr 11, 2025
Red Cross chief says Gaza is 'hell on earth' ...
BBC - Apr 11, 2025
'We collected his body instead of celebrating ...
BBC - Apr 11, 2025
Schools in Beirut suburb fear return to war ...
BBC - Apr 10, 2025
Palestinian teen attacker freed after nine ...
BBC - Apr 10, 2025
Israel to include Rafah in Gaza 'security ...
BBC - Apr 10, 2025
Israeli army fired more than 100 shots in Gaza ...
BBC - Apr 10, 2025
Sudan accuses UAE of 'complicity in genocide' ...
BBC - Apr 10, 2025
Israel's PM rejects criticism of Gaza war by ...
BBC - Apr 10, 2025
'Part of us is still in Gaza': Freed Israeli ...
BBC - Apr 9, 2025
Israeli strike on Gaza residential building ...
BBC - Apr 9, 2025
Can Trump convince Iran to ditch its nuclear ...
BBC - Apr 8, 2025
Iran says it is ready for nuclear deal if US ...
BBC - Apr 8, 2025
World must act now to help Gazans under ...
BBC - Apr 8, 2025
Global executions at highest level since 2015, ...
BBC - Apr 8, 2025
US in direct nuclear talks with Iran, Trump says
BBC - Apr 7, 2025
Watch: What we learned from Trump's meeting ...
BBC - Apr 7, 2025
Red Crescent calls for inquiry into Israel's ...
BBC - Apr 7, 2025
BBC Verify analyses video showing Israel's ...
BBC - Apr 7, 2025
Israel carries out air strikes on Gaza after ...
BBC - Apr 7, 2025
Chemical burns, assaults, electric shocks - ...
BBC - Apr 7, 2025
Palestinian-American boy killed by Israeli ...
BBC - Apr 7, 2025
Two MPs 'astounded' after being denied entry ...
BBC - Apr 6, 2025
Israel admits mistakes over medic killings in Gaza
BBC - Apr 5, 2025
Video casts doubt on Israeli account of Gaza ...
BBC - Apr 5, 2025

Editorials

Expert Plastic Surgeon: Botox Can Make People Ugly and Cause ...

Expert Plastic Surgeon: Botox Can Make People Ugly and Cause ...

Botoxed? The Day Messi and Ronaldo Faded

Botoxed? The Day Messi and Ronaldo Faded

Qatar is Israel's Next Target after Iran

Qatar is Israel's Next Target after Iran

Commentators: US and Iran are Both Just Buying Time?

Commentators: US and Iran are Both Just Buying Time?

Columbia Student Mohsen Mahdawi Arrested Just for Supporting ...

Columbia Student Mohsen Mahdawi Arrested Just for Supporting ...

Music for Your Soul from Pete Seeger

Advertise with us
Lower cost than Facebook, TV, Paper or radio Ads: Reach Geo-targeted users for only $10-$50 per thousand viewers. Check out our advertisement packages.
Need our help?
Our growth depends on serving our user community. Email our Customer Support with questions, comments, business offers, interesting news, video links, etc.

About us

  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Tickets and Advertisement
  • How to Link to us

Add to our listings

  • An Event
  • A Local Business
  • A Distinguished Iranian

Near You

  • Events
  • Tickets
  • Coupons
  • Local Ads

My Account

  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Change Location
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
© 2025 Kodoom LLC, All Rights Reserved. An independent private partnership incorporated in USA.
Kodoom is a Search and Listing Service and not responsible for contents and accuracy of listings, maps and advertisements.
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.