Our Summer in Tehran (2009) User Reviews

Summer vacation

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 21 May 2011]

The prospect of spending some time in a land that has been at odds with her country, Justine Shapiro, who has been connected with "Globetrotters", a television travelogue, where young people roamed the world looking at different cultures, decided to go to Iran with her young son one summer. The result of that trip was made into an interesting documentary that takes the viewer to meet people in places not well known within a culture dominated by a totalitarian religious government.

The purpose of the trip was to discover how people lived in a country that has been at odds with the West, specially the United States. Ms. Shapiro set out to meet with three different families from different walks of life. The result surprises in that the American visitors were able to witness, first hand, how the people that allowed them into their homes, really live. The young boy, Mateo, made friends easily with his peers.

The point of the documentary is that basically, when it all is said, and done, all cultures are the same, no matter where we look to. This was a delightful look at a country we have been told is an enemy of our way of thinking, and looking closely at the different encounters of the visitors with the people they met, show us how much we are the same.

A film everyone should see

[andycric · 9/10 · 9 June 2012]

This beautiful little film is an essay in the goodness of people and the tyranny of despotic governments. The Iranian people are shown as a kind, loving and inclusive bunch in this wonderful little film. This is not a piece about the radical Islam or terrorism that much of the west stereo typically associates with the Islamic Republic but a film about normal families doing what families do all over the world. I was touched by the warmth expressed by the Iranian participants and angered by the decision of the administration to cut short the project for no other reason than their sheer bloody mindedness. I saw this on television. The world would be a better place if this was on prime time TV rather than endless talent quests and competitive cooking shows.

My summer in Tehran 2007

[LOL101LOL · 10/10 · 6 June 2012]

I just caught this program on TV, and it brought back all my memories of when I stayed in Iran in 2007 for 6 weeks. I was born in Holland and moved to the US when I was 1 year old, moved back to Holland when I was 4, and was lucky to have parents that never got over their travel bug, and got to see most of Europe, holidays in the US and we finally settled in Australia. And it's where I made my connection to this wonderful country due to meeting my ex wife here.

As much as my relationship with my ex wife fell apart, I will never forget the warm people I met in Tehran, my ex in-laws treated me like a rock star when I was in Iran, their warmth and friendliness was at times overwhelming, and I have nothing but the up-most respect for the people of Iran. My ex came from Mashhad, and I was blessed to have been married at the Imam Reza shrine, and was invited back their for a guided tour, and was taken behind close doors and got to see parts of their culture that even most Iranians would not see.

My stay in Iran was by far the best 6 weeks of my life, sure being treated like a rock star helped, being the only 6'4' blue eyed very fair skinned Dutch looking man around, made every one look at me, ask questions and so on, but no one at any times disrespected me in any way, Iranians are the most polite people I have ever met.

I loved the total traffic chaos in Tehran, and it felt like that town never went to sleep, every one goes out at night for walks, pick-nicks and get together's with friends and family, and food has never tasted the same after the food I tasted in Iran, the best kebab's, you could spent a year in Iran and still not taste all the different foods.

After I was married I spent traveling too some of the best archaeological sites in Iran, got to meet some great people, and was totally lost in the love I had for my ex wife at the time, sad but hey life is what is, and I will cherish my 6 week summer in Iran till the last day of my life.

I am blessed to have seen lots of this blue planet, and based on my travels I like to think the people I have met in Iran are no different then you and I! most show warmth and friendship, want peace and happiness for not just their own families, but for all people around the world.

So if you ever have the change to be wild, fall in love with an Iranian girl and follow your heart, and fly to the Middle East.