Passport Series 2009 Starts August 26

A last minute reminder that the Passport Series – Ragtag Cinema’s annual program of cutting-edge new films from around the world – kicks off tonight at 7:00pm with The Song of Sparrows, a lyrical new Iranian film about family, class, ostriches(!), and tradition by Majid Majidi, the director of Academy Award-winner The Children of Heaven (1999). Arrive early to enjoy a glass of Darioush Iranian wine and stick around after the film for a talk by Safa Zinati, an Iranian art specialist and painter.

“Majidi's artfully-composed film is a portrait of happenstance and perseverance... With its sweeping cinematography, utterly affectless acting, and humane perspective, The Song of Sparrows is a treat in every sense of the word.” (Chris Barsanti, Filmcritic.com)