Spring in Britain focuses on less cultural pursuits… we’re concerned with our daylight hours and the promise of summer, but not before we traverse the rain-drenched month of April (we’re expecting hailstones and gales tomorrow). Yes, the British have an almost hypnotic fascination with the weather – possibly because our side of the world experiences little weather.

The Iranian New Year appears to be loaded with ritual and significance – ours is filled with song, merriment and general mayhem, and resolutions we do not keep or regret by 2 January, the day after our New Year’s Day. Do you also make resolutions on your New Year’s Day, decisions which you hope may improve and/or enrich your life? I’ve given up making such resolutions and instead make quiet promises to myself of achievements I hope to accomplish before the year is out.

Talking of achievements, I’ve finally delivered my short film Quietus to the UK Film Council today. It’s been quite an experience (good and bad) – one that I won’t forget in a hurry, and one which I hope to take with me to my next film… I now know of things I will do differently the next time. I am now planning to try and secure funding to make a 30-minute film (my current one is 10 minutes), which I hope to write as well as direct. The subject matter is dark, but has a social theme which I hope will connect with most people.

I find your photographs quite poignant – they look like something you enjoy doing. Please do send me more, depicting the ordinary people of Iran; the sights and sounds and what you see or encounter in your daily journey. I have a digital video camera, but unfortunately I do not have a digital camera nor the various cables to upload images to show you my immediate environment – I will work on that. I live in a multi-cultural community of Europeans, Caribbeans, Africans, and Asians, and it is a vibrant community at that! Our annual carnival (end of May) showcases the artistic spectacle and cultural melting pot of Luton, where I live. I have some DV footage of the carnival of 2 years ago and will endeavour to upload some images for you to see – it’s a great occasion, attended by some 2000 visitors in addition to Luton locals.

I can hear the rain beating against my window as I write to you – tomorrow’s going to be extremely wet, but then, that’s Britain in the spring time!