Want to get a look at present day Iran, first hand? Rick Steves has produced and interested travel program on Iran. I first came acrossed it while watching PBS during a pledge drive. The imagery is vivid, and can really help bring some of the literature we've been reading on Iran to life. Some interesting things to note: it is a Rick Steves program. Many may be familiar with his series on European destinations. It is sort of a dorky, ackward, American. It is interesting to try and see him cover Iran in much the same way he would cover a bull fight in Spain.
Because the relationship between the US and Iran is so dicey, some may say that his presentation involves a lot of Orientalism, or preconceived notions about Iran that aren't necessarily so accurate. Rick Steves tries to relate a lot of what he sees to what he believes and American audience would relate to, instead of just letting the stories and imagery stand for itself. Also, because the program is done on the pretext that it is a travelogue...it doesn't really go to the tourist sites that Iranians would go to. It more or less covers what an American might know...which is Tehran. Rick Steves also tries to commentate on Iranian politics, that isn't a hundred percent accurate or unbiased.
Still, I believe there is a lot one can gleam from this program. Also, if you want to talk about preconceived notions of Iran...watch the link to his lecture series on Iran. In it, he is a little more candid about what occurred behind the cameras and how his opinion of Iran changed over time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmaoyR2sxSA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfcOBNdyiKQ
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