Mehru Jaffer

‘Just sit and gaze at the sky’
Post date: Thursday, August 9, 2012 - 17:08

Mehrdad Oskouei, 42, travels around the world with an amazing repertoire of films. Unlike many Iranian filmmakers forced to live in exile, he says that it will be impossible for him to make films if he ever chose not to live in Iran. It is one thing to screen films abroad and quite another to make films outside Iran. 

Even if he travels to study or attend a festival, in the end, he returns to Iran. And no, he says he has zero problems making films in a country where it is perceived that the government is unfriendly to activities like music, dance and films. 



Elsie’s Steyr
Post date: Monday, June 4, 2012 - 13:30

Last weekend was spent in Steyr, also known as Austria’s iron town. It is called iron town because iron ore is mined here since times long before the birth of Christ. Today, the whole world is familiar with bicycles, motorcycles, cars, trucks and buses manufactured by the company, Steyr Daimler Puch, but once the town was famous for rifles produced by Josef Werndl. 



Blood Relations and Bloodlands
Post date: Tuesday, May 1, 2012 - 20:34

People in Europe want manufacturers here to stop selling arms around the world because they seriously fear total nuclear annihilation. Since governments seem totally out of sync with this sentiment of ordinary citizens, people have taken it upon themselves to do what they can against militarization. And artistes are once again in the forefront.



Like the intimate world of blue frogs...
Post date: Friday, March 30, 2012 - 15:07

In Vienna some artists and architects are resisting private builders who replace public space with private architectures. There is resistance to allowing private developers to decide how the public should live.



Where has all our money gone?
Post date: Monday, March 5, 2012 - 14:55

The world thinks that the crisis in Greece is because of widespread tax evasion.



Cross-border smiles
Post date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - 18:02

Nothing works better than a big smile and a tight hug when it comes to making friends. These are time-tested principles and I saw them work their magic once again on women and students from Pakistan who visited Mumbai recently.

Five Pakistani women were hosted by the sociology department of Mumbai University and the Austria-based NGO Women Without Borders to contemplate on the 26/11 terrorist act in Mumbai three years ago, and to together look for new ways forward to a more happy and healthy relationship between India and Pakistan.



Rossellini’s Orient arrives at Viennalle
Post date: Wednesday, November 2, 2011 - 12:09

Among hundreds of feature films, documentaries and short films from around the world, I spied India, Matri Bhumi, a jewel of a film in four episodes. The film is a record of Roberto Rossellini's personal impressions of India.



Caucasian, and not so Caucasian
Post date: Monday, October 3, 2011 - 14:54

It is difficult to believe some of the changes taking place around me here in the heart of Europe. In all my 30 years of living in Vienna I have seen many a face wear a frown. But a frown to match a pair of torn shoes? Never!

I have seen this same person not once but several times, and each time I have wondered what prevents this dignified Viennese from buying a pair of good shoes? Surely, the reason cannot be rising prices and the economic crisis that has reduced stocks to half their worth!



Money can’t buy me love
Post date: Thursday, September 1, 2011 - 15:20

Recent events likethe tragic gunning down of innocent people inOsloand the riots in London must surely forceEuropeto self-reflect. This is perhaps long over due.

 



When the Belfast Child sings again…
Post date: Monday, August 1, 2011 - 13:19
The thought that there seems no solution to terrorist attacks is sad. The thought becomes sadder as colleagues from Belfast counter question, what peace are you talking about in Northern Ireland?
 
To be asked that question is the saddest.
 


Women Without Borders
Post date: Monday, July 4, 2011 - 14:58
It is no secret that poverty is on the rise, population is exploding and literacy figures are sinking worldwide.


Naked Celebrity Realism
Post date: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - 14:25

After Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned as head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), I wondered how much worse the life of the 62-year-old would be today if he had refused to allegedly chase a 32-year-old chambermaid in the nude in a $3,000 per night Manhattan hotel suite?

The misplaced desire to thrill the self for a few seconds has cost the former French finance minister nothing less than the French presidency, and thereby deprived the world of his brilliant ideas on how to contain the current monetary problems in Europe!