A Family’s Story of Love, Captivity, and Survival.
Newsweek journalist Maziar Bahari comes to the Skirball to discuss his new book with leading writer/scholar Reza Aslan. Then They Came for Me chronicles the 118 days Bahari spent in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison. Bahari, an award-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker, and human rights activist, was taken by surprise when he was accused of espionage while in Iran to cover the 2009 presidential election. This in-depth account of the fiercely contested election and his incarceration are covered with a keen eye for vivid details and a journalist's perspective on the fascinating modern history of Iran. Bahari's book is also a moving tale about family: a father and sister who were also imprisoned under various Iranian regimes and endured; his mother and beloved wife, Paola, whose tireless activism ensured the global community would not forget Bahari; and his as-yet unborn child, who gave him the strength to hope for freedom.
A Q&A session and book signing will follow the program.