Persian Visions Showcases Iranian Photographers

Tuesday, Feb. 05, 2013 Features 10Persian Visions John McClane: showcases The man who won’t "Die Hard" BY SEAN LEAVY Iranian Assistant Features Editor he has saved Christmas, Los Angeles, and Washington DC from a cyber terrorist attack, saving his photographers On Valentine’s Day, the ultimate romantic returns to theaters in his fifth installment. Since 1988 wife and his daughter along the way. What could be more romantic? Now, as his new film A Good BY MARY QUINN Day to Die Hard is about to be released, John McClane (Bruce Willis) proves that he is the ultimate Contributing Writer hero and husband in his first four films.Die Hard (1988): When audiences were collection of contemporary photography from Iran entitled first introduced to McClane, The Albin O. Kuhn library gallery is currently exhibiting a- Bruce Willis was in the peak- - ofClane’s his action wife isfilm held career. as a hostage,Alan Rickman McClane (Harry resorts Potter), to any starts means as Persian Visions developed by Hamid Severi,. The exhibit in thenecessary villain, to who take takes down control the terrorists, of a 40 story including skyscraper. tossing When them Mcout cludesEach aartist’s wealth collection of media installations is a unique lensby 20 through of Iran’s which most celthe ebrated photographers. of windows. While the film runs a lengthy 131 minutes, the action Iranianbathed inexperience contrasting is lights,viewed. while No ontwo the pieces other, in images the exhibit of the and plot never let up. A first adventure of humor, violence, action prove to be the same. On one wall, pieces depict veiled women and4 great PAWS characters. OUT OF 5 PAWS homesHowever, and they streets also of touch Iran areon manyskewed things by dramatic that are use part of offocus. the The photographs, of course, are specific to Iran’s history.- - humantion, My experience: Family, is madefamily, of gender pieces roles,depicting death, connections etc. Some imbe- PICTURES COURTESY WIKIPEDIA ages are playful; for instance, artist Shahriar Tavakoli’s collec In contrast, Mohammad Farnood’s series of photographs tween family members and the moods and habits they share. Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990): surprise that many of the pieces serve as remembrances of proves more somber, depicting soldiers and survivors. It is no whatthought-provoking, has been lost and as thereminders collection of whatseems remains. to illuminate the trappedThe success at an airport,of the first as terroristsDie Hard, broughttake control back of John the McClaneairports little,Shahrokh seemingly Ja’fari’s insignificant Child’s aspectsView ofseries places, proves blurring very the and terrorists who attack on Christmas. This film, finds McClane unfocused, as their is no clear motivation behind the terrorists to its name, combining images of the personal and the histor- traffic control. The films plot becomes muddled, confusing and largerical that picture. allow usBahman to see Jalali’swhat we Image think of we Imagination know in a different lives up actions. The film succeeds only on the charisma of Willis, and proves to be the weakest entry. 2 PAWS OUT OF 5 PAWS way. Majid Kohrang Beheshti’s work shows a deep fascination withAhmad the Nateghi’s mysteries work, of humans. touch on the media and its relation- Several pieces, such as Mehran Mohajer’s "T.V. Series" and shipis a collection to Iran. Their of images lenses by are Iranian turned artists, on advertising we are able and to seethe waypersonal, the media truthful muddles depictions its messages. that non-native Because Persianphotographers Visions - Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995): do not often capture. This ultimately allows us to see relation ships between different cultures. Persian Visions is an exhibit that will touch, inspire, and stay with you. - Reuniting with the director of the original Die Hard, this time On Tuesday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m., the library gallery will McClane battles Jeremy Irons and surprisingly not on Christmas. hold a free lecture and reception where artist and UMBC alum Creatingonly downside, a simplified is the social plot commentaryinvolving revenge, on racism this that installment is tacked ni Hadi Gharabaghi will speak about the exhibit. The library brought back the intense action and humor of the original. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 12 - 4 p.m.; Thursday, 4 - 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m. Persian Visions 3.5on betweenPAWS OUT Willis OF and 5 PSamuelAWS L. Jackson, creating an awkward runs through March 24. side plot for the audience. [email protected] Live Free or Die Hard (2007): to take over the internet, the threat of internet run terrorist be- As Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites began hero McClane against a group of terrorists who crash the United came a possibility in the globe. This installment pits old school - States economy via the internet.- The first to earn a PG13 rating, the film suffers from upholding the3 bloodyPAWS violence OUT OF of 5 thePAWS ear lier films and botches Mc Clane’s classic slogan. Follow us on Twitter: @retrieverweekly This Valentine’s Day, if you are looking for romance and a bit of excitement, look no further than John McClane. A man who not only saved his wife (multiple times), LA and Christmas returns to theaters to remind the bad guys, that for them, it’s a Good Day to Die Hard. [email protected].

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