[Haibundadam]

Iran used to be much much different place than it is today... people used to go to cabarets, people drank, people did all sorts of things that you would never expect to happen in an Islamic country, especially one like Iran. Western influence on Iran was tremendous, particularly from the 1930's to the 1970's. During this time an Iranian cinema had developed, which made big screen films paralleling Hollywood and Bollywood in poise. Sex played an important role in the content of these films... everything was very sexualized, definitely no less than Hollywood is today.

Here are just a few clips of films from the 60's period of Iran:

[Dndjzirw]

Iran used to be much much different place than it is today..

Fereydoun Farrokhzad singing.

[L8fGLM4d]

Do you believe that Iran will be more moderate after 1 generation later than keeping things extremly conservative?

[isopsmypovA]

I watched a documentary about Iran's history, from a relatively free, constitutional monarchy leading to the events of the Iranian Revolution. It was depressing to say the least. Turkey is where Iran was before 1979.

[Allbrunette]

I watched a documentary about Iran's history, from a relatively free, constitutional monarchy leading to the events of the Iranian Revolution. It was depressing to say the least. Turkey is where Iran was before 1979.

You have the name/link of that. Would love to watch it.

[lopaayd]

You have the name/link of that. Would love to watch it.

Yes, it's called The Last Shah. It's a BBC Documentary.

[Evelinessa]

I watched a documentary about Iran's history, from a relatively free, constitutional monarchy leading to the events of the Iranian Revolution. It was depressing to say the least. Turkey is where Iran was before 1979.

Usual development of situation after great war such was Iran-Iraq war (with "generous help" from USA and USSR).

It is like rule, after such disaster wars quite radical religion (doesn t matter what kind of religion is) beliefs becoming stronger and stronger.

Tehran was in 70s fancy place for actors (USA and European), film industry etc.

[NiliSpuppypax]

I will get even further back. Islam enslaved ancient Persia. The Iranians would have been much more productive culturally if the Arabs hadn't converted them to this religion. Imagine a Persia, largely Aryan in its eseence, and the way it could have interacted with Europe. This exchange unfortunately never took place. The recent freaks who took over few decades ago additionally prevented Iran from becoming what it's meant to be - an open country ready to manifest its full potential free of religious fanaticism.

[Hoijdxvh]

I will get even further back. Islam enslaved ancient Persia. The Iranians would have been much more productive culturally if the Arabs hadn't converted them to this religion. Imagine a Persia, largely Aryan in its eseence, and the way it could have interacted with Europe. This exchange unfortunately never took place. The recent freaks who took over few decades ago additionally prevented Iran from becoming what it's meant to be - an open country ready to manifest its full potential free of religious fanaticism.

Yes, I have to agree with you, mostly.

The same happened with Egypt, too.

But, islam also as crystianty itself is not "guilty" for been manipulating tool in the hand of people in power.

[Cajlwdvx]

I will get even further back. Islam enslaved ancient Persia. The Iranians would have been much more productive culturally if the Arabs hadn't converted them to this religion. Imagine a Persia, largely Aryan in its eseence, and the way it could have interacted with Europe.

What do you mean? Iran = Aryan, whether it's muslim or not.

[berdyanskdotsu]

Those LEGS!

[Wrencytet]

The Iran of the 1960s and 1970s, seems so surreal. It's almost difficult to believe that Iran was once like that, because of the seemingly irreparable Islamic metamorphosis that it underwent. It doesn't even seem to be a shadow of what it once was, because even the spirit of Persia has been repressed.

[Bobdilan]

The difference is amazing...

http://funnytogo.com/pictures/iran70s/lifestyle.htm

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/article...e_in_tehran#21

[Zmniubqr]

Wow! This is just depressing. I never knew Iran was so liberal so recently! Those pictures make Iran seem as productive and liberal as the West. It's amazing how radically the atmosphere has changed.

[RichardHaads]

I will get even further back. Islam enslaved ancient Persia. The Iranians would have been much more productive culturally if the Arabs hadn't converted them to this religion. Imagine a Persia, largely Aryan in its eseence, and the way it could have interacted with Europe. This exchange unfortunately never took place. The recent freaks who took over few decades ago additionally prevented Iran from becoming what it's meant to be - an open country ready to manifest its full potential free of religious fanaticism.

They took over with the support of the masses. If Iran's mentality back then really was anything like what it is pretended to be, it could never have happened.

[ceagsoosy]

meh, being drunk and walking half naked isn't really progress for me.

[M_Marked]

Iran used to be much much different place than it is today... people used to go to cabarets, people drank, people did all sorts of things that you would never expect to happen in an Islamic country, especially one like Iran. Western influence on Iran was tremendous, particularly from the 1930's to the 1970's. During this time an Iranian cinema had developed, which made big screen films paralleling Hollywood and Bollywood in poise. Sex played an important role in the content of these films... everything was very sexualized, definitely no less than Hollywood is today.

I couldn't agree more! I breaks my heart to see what Iran has become.

It was such a cool and fun nation back then, and it could have continued to develop towards a free society. This is the exotic orient that the rest of the world likes; not a society run by old men who opress the people.

meh, being drunk and walking half naked isn't really progress for me.

It's not about that. It's about having the choice to do it, or not.

[DongoSab]

I must say, if you showed this to an audience in the US, they would most likely be very surprised with the contrast.

Since I am a history fan also, even without seeing these videos, I too wondered how different Persia would have turned out if the results of that fateful battle went their way.

[AlexanderDrew]

Do you believe that Iran will be more moderate after 1 generation later than keeping things extremly conservative?

The reason why I made this thread was to show some uninformed people that Iranians have been there done that kind of thing. The Iran of today is the concenquence of acting carelessly for 5 generations. Obviously it's not fair to my generation but the previous generations have done this to themselves. Iranians in general are quite known for being bipolar (in the political sense) which is why back then half the population really let themselves go way too much (as you can see in the clips) which led to the conservative leaderships gaining momentum and strength. This eventually tipped the political scale and led to the revolution because at that point the majority of the population wanted the extra-conservative rulership of Ayatollah Khomeini.

---------- Post added 2012-05-10 at 01:26 ----------

I will get even further back. Islam enslaved ancient Persia. The Iranians would have been much more productive culturally if the Arabs hadn't converted them to this religion. Imagine a Persia, largely Aryan in its eseence, and the way it could have interacted with Europe. This exchange unfortunately never took place. The recent freaks who took over few decades ago additionally prevented Iran from becoming what it's meant to be - an open country ready to manifest its full potential free of religious fanaticism.

Oh please, this has nothing do with Islam. Before we were Muslims we were even stricter Zoroastrians. We Iranians invented the first veils worn by women, not Arabs.

---------- Post added 2012-05-10 at 01:30 ----------

They took over with the support of the masses. If Iran's mentality back then really was anything like what it is pretended to be, it could never have happened.

Iran was never one mentality to begin with. Like any other country, there was a conservative group of people which coexisted with the much more liberal group. And Iran was not the only country to switch from liberal rule to conservative rule. Just go look at your own country's history.