Maziar Bahari

Journalist and filmmaker Maziar Bahari offered a unique insight into the often closed world of Iran. His many articles, reports and documentaries explored the political and domestic life of the troubled country. He was even jailed for his work. Born in Iran, he moved to Pakistan in 1987 to work with Medecins Sans Frontiers, UNHCR and the Red Cross before immigrating to Canada to study Communications. In his first documentary, "The Voyage of the Saint Louis" (1995), Bahari interviewed survivors of the ill-fated ship that left Nazi Germany looking for safe harbor in 1939, making him the first Muslim filmmaker to tackle the Holocaust. In 1997, he began filing reports from his home country and was appointed as Newsweek's Iranian correspondent in 1998. He also filmed several documentaries covering various facets of Iranian life including "And Along Came a Spider" (2003), "Mohammad and the Matchmaker" (2004) and "Targets: Reporters in Iraq" (2008). On June 21, 2009 Bahari was accused of espionage, incarcerated by the Iranian authorities and forced to appear on TV renouncing his previous work and accusing western journalists of spying. A major campaign, organized by his wife, petitioned for his release with Hilary Clinton, Newsweek and Reporters Without Borders backing the cause. After 118 days in jail, $300,000 was paid in bail; on release he joined his wife in the U.K. Bahari disowned his statements made during captivity and launched a complaint against Press TV (who aired the interview) stating he had been coerced via physical and mental torture. Ofcom ruled in Bahari's favor and fined Press TV £100,000. Random House published his autobiography, Then They Came For Me in 2011, which was universally acclaimed by critics. Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show" (Comedy Central 1999-), acquired the film rights. In his directorial debut, Stewart also collaborated with Bahari on the script. The film adaptation, "Rosewater" (2014), starred Gael Garcia Bernal.