What if you could take a Master Class from a Master of Cinema? In a new book, Mahmoud Reza Sani takes us inside such a class. He allows us to sit in on the beginning days of a workshop taught by critically-acclaimed and award-winning director Abbas Kiarostami (Taste of Cherry, Certified Copy, Like Someone in Love). In February 2012, Abbas Kiarostami traveled to Spain to receive the Ibn-Arabi trophy for a lifetime of artistic achievements. It was decided at that time that he would hold a 10 day film maker workshop for 35 students who had traveled from all over the world in eager anticipation to attend this once in a lifetime event. We join Kiarostami in class as he converses with the students and author. We listen as Kiarostami reminisces about some of his past experiences and offers insight into his cinematic style. We learn as he advises the students on how to shape their stories and find their voice, not only in the world of film but also in their lives. The book also includes the foreword 'Lessons of Refusal' written by famed French Screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière (Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Belle du Jour).
About the Author: Mahmoud Reza Sani is an award winning film maker and a writer, producer, director and actor who has made several short films, documentaries, features and television serials. In 2000 he founded Arvandan Film Production which specializes in low budget, high caliber documentaries and films often shot under difficult conditions. 
Mahmoud is also considered the 'ambassador' of Cine Pobre, an universal movement created by the esteemed Cuban film maker Humberto Solas. It is an active network of international cooperation that promotes Cine Pobre (poor cinema) production by making high quality low budget independent films. 
His debut film, Siyamo, a poetic song of peace that tells the search for his beloved in the devastation of a post-Taliban Afghanistan won, the Cesare Zavattini grand prize at the First International Cine Pobre Festival in Gibara, Cuba in 2002. In April 2006, his film Wild Goose, which depicts the folly of war through two opposing characters, received the special Poverty Zero award from the NGO OIKOS, the sponsor of the film festival. In 2010 Mahmoud served on the jury for the film festival. 
Mahmoud holds various workshops throughout the globe to impart his knowledge and experience to those with the desire to learn and a story to tell.