[excerpt]

World Premiere, Los Angeles Independent Film Festival

Years ago, back in miniDV days, actor and activist Fariborz David Diaan embarked on a trip back to his (and my) homeland, Iran.

Accompanied by his girlfriend, and with no real intention to produce a film, he captured much of his journey, including many poignant moments to those of us unable to return.

When I saw the footage he had captured, I saw a film in there, and we got to work, making a small travelogue documentary that did well at film festivals, giving American audiences a glimpse into a country filled with warm people yearning for freedom.