The inaugural event of Poems & A Movie (a brand new series combining my two great loves, film and writing) will take place on August 8th at 6pm at Plays and Players Theatre (1712 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103) with a screening of Sometimes I Dream in Farsi, the award-winning film by indie filmmaker Dr. Pirooz Kalayeh, preceded by readings from three literary superstars: Porochista Khakpour (author of Tehrangeles, 2024), Alina Pleskova (author of Toska, 2023), and Violet Gehringer (author of I Love You It Looks Like Rain, 2017).
Sometimes I Dream in Farsi examines a traumatic racist incident in Pirooz Kalayeh's childhood and how therapy and discussions can offer a path forward for children and adults who have had similar experiences.
This is a free event, but you can donate to help us pay for costs by getting tickets or by contributing to our indiegogo campaign.
Films need to be seen and literature needs to be heard (and read, obviously!), in my opinion. I'm starting this new series because I want to offer a barrier-free way to bring important movies and important writing to the people who want to experience them. Plus I just really love organizing events. Many thanks to Pirooz, Amy Saul-Zerby, and Adam Kerbel of Cannonball for helping me get this event off the ground. I could not be doing this without you all!
If you are not able to pay the suggested ticket price but still want to help support this event, please share this post, invite your friends, and simply RSVP and show up! I appreciate you!