Cultural and artistic news Homayoun Ershadi actor of Abbas Kiarostami, Marc Forster and Terrence Malick dies at 78 Homayoun Ershadi, the revered Iranian actor whose profound performance in Abbas Kiarostami's Palme d'Or-winning "Taste of Cherry" launched him onto the world stage, has died. He was 78. Ershadi passed away from cancer on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in Tehran. His funeral was held on Wednesday at Behesht Sakineh Cemetery in Karaj. Ershadi forged a unique international career, seamlessly moving between Iranian art-house cinema and major Hollywood productions. Morocco Becomes the European Film Market’s “Country in Focus” at the 76th Berlinale Morocco's appeal extends beyond its domestic productions to its growing reputation as an international filming destination. The country offers diverse landscapes—from the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert and historic cities like Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and Casablanca—that have long attracted global filmmakers. The sector is further supported by structural incentives including a 30 percent cash rebate for foreign productions and official co-production agreements with numerous partner countries... The 21st Zurich Film Festival announces its 2025 award winners "Father," directed by Tereza Nvotová from the Czech Republic, won the top Golden Eye award at the 21st Zurich Film Festival, where Iranian director Ali Asgari served as a jury member for the feature film competition. The 73rd San Sebastian Film Festival announces its 2025 award winners The Spanish-French co-production "Sundays," directed by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, won the Golden Shell at the 73rd San Sebastian International Film Festival. The festival also honored Hollywood star Jennifer Lawrence and veteran producer Esther García with Donostia Lifetime Achievement Awards. The 30th Busan International Film Festival announces its 2025 award winners According to the report of Mansour Jahani, an independent and international cinema journalist, the closing ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival was held on Friday night, September 26, 2025, in Busan, Korea, and awards from various competitive sections, including the newly established “Competition”, Winners of New Currents Award, the “Vision” Asia section, Mecenat Documentary Award, Sonje Award, FIPRESCI Award “International Federation of Film Critics”, NETPAC Award, etc were pr... Asghar Farhadi Begins Shooting New Film in Paris Acclaimed Iranian director Asghar Farhadi has started filming his latest project, "Parallel Tales," in Paris on September 8, 2025. The film stars French cinema legends Isabelle Huppert, Catherine Deneuve, and Vincent Cassel, among others. This is a report by Mansour Jahani. Thigh Sex: The Ultimate Guide to Intercrural Sex – Sensual, Safe, and Surprisingly Satisfying In a world where sexual wellness is evolving beyond traditional boundaries, thigh sex—also known as intercrural sex or thighjob—is captivating couples and individuals alike. This intimate act, involving thrusting between a partner's thighs for friction-fueled pleasure, offers a tantalizing alternative to penetrative intercourse. From its roots in ancient civilizations to its buzz on social media today, explore why this underrated form of outercourse is making waves in 2025. Qamar dar Aqrab: The Enduring Myth of Moon in Scorpio and Why It Still Influences Decisions in 2026 In the vast tapestry of celestial events, few concepts blend astronomy, astrology, and cultural superstition as intriguingly as "Qamar dar Aqrab," the Persian term for the Moon in Scorpio. As of September 20, 2025, recent social media buzz and astrological forecasts highlight its ongoing relevance, from avoiding major life decisions during this period to embracing its transformative energy in modern Western astrology. The winners of the 50th Toronto International Film Festival were announced "Hamnet," directed by Chloé Zhao, has won the People's Choice Award at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, with Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" and Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice" also taking major audience prizes, as the festival celebrated its milestone anniversary. Cause of Death: Unknown: Represents Iranian Cinema at the 2026 Oscars Iran’s nine-member Oscar selection committee has unanimously chosen Ali Zarnegar’s Cause of Death: Unknown as the country’s official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards, following a rigorous review of five shortlisted films. Bought Lives: How Poverty Drives the Global Trade in Kidneys and Other Human Organs A hidden global market in human organs — led by the kidney trade — is being fuelled by deepening poverty, migration and shortages of legitimate organs. Estimates place the global trade’s annual value in the hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars, while traffickers and corrupt facilitators capitalize on the desperation of the poor. Official awards of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival Announced According to the report of Mansour Jahani, an independent and international cinema journalist, at the closing ceremony of the 82nd Venice international film festival, the winners were announced by the five international Juries during the Awards Ceremony that was held on Saturday 6th September at 7:00 pm 2025 at the Sala Grande movie theater in the city of Venice, Italy, and the winners of various competition, including ; The Main Competition, the Orizzonti competition, the Immersive competition ... Venice 2025: Francis Ford Coppola Presents Honorary Golden Lion to Legend Werner Herzog The 82nd Venice Film Festival opened with Francis Ford Coppola honoring Werner Herzog with a lifetime achievement Golden Lion and the premiere of Paolo Sorrentino's 'La Grazia'. 78th Locarno International Film Festival Winners Announced The winners of the various competition of the 78th Locarno International Film Festival have been announced, and “Two Seasons, Two Strangers” by “Shu Miyake”, Japan won the “Pardo d’Oro” award for best film. Causes, symptoms and treatment of varicocele Varicocele, in simple terms, is the dilation and twisting of the veins that drain blood from the testicles; a condition similar to varicose veins in the legs, but in the scrotum. This disorder is often seen in adolescence to early adulthood and is a treatable cause of male infertility. Understanding the causes of varicocele, recognizing the exact symptoms of varicocele, and knowing how to treat varicocele will help you avoid wasting time seeing a doctor and prevent long-term damage. Mansour Jahani Joins 2026 Golden Globe Awards Jury Mansour Jahani, Iran’s foremost cinema journalist, breaks new ground as a Golden Globes 2026 voter. Selected by HFPA’s Tim Gray, Jahani brings 24 years of critiquing Iranian masterpieces (from Kiarostami to Rasoulof) to Hollywood’s prestigious awards table. The Art of Desire: How Cinema Lost and Found Its Sexiness in the Streaming Age For decades, the cinematic exploration of desire was a powerhouse, driving box office hits and cultural conversations. Then, it seemingly vanished from the multiplex, relegated to history. Today, in an unexpected twist, eroticism is not only back but is thriving in our living rooms, powered by streaming giants and a new generation of creators. This is the story of the fall and rise of erotic storytelling—a journey that reflects our changing society, technology, and understanding of desire itself... A Love Forged in Art, Aflame in Scandal: The Enduring Saga of Forough Farrokhzad and Ebrahim Golestan The recent passing of filmmaker Ebrahim Golestan at 100 has closed the final chapter on one of Iran's most iconic and controversial love affairs. His decades-long, passionate, and intellectually charged relationship with a rebellious genius of Persian poetry, Forough Farrokhzad, was a cultural earthquake that challenged the norms of a nation and produced some of the most enduring art of its time. From Palace to Pixel: The Faded Glory and Uncertain Future of Manoto TV Once the undisputed king of Persian-language satellite television, Manoto TV captivated millions of Iranians with its glossy, Western-style entertainment and controversial historical documentaries. After a dramatic shutdown in early 2024 due to financial collapse, the network has made a modest return, broadcasting free-to-air into Iran via satellite while relying on YouTube subscriptions from the diaspora. But with a fraction of its former budget and talent, Manoto now faces a profound identity ...