Tara Violet
@taraviolet.bsky.social
DP, photographer, often on a soapbox
Pinned
Tara Violet
@taraviolet.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Tara Violet Niami
photography and cinematography by Tara Violet Niami
taravioletniami.com
hi 👋 I'm Tara. I used to use Twitter but it's gotten a little too vile for me these days so I'm here.
I'm a cinematographer and photographer in LA of the Iranian diaspora / half British-Australian.
you can see my work here!
taravioletniami.com
I'm a cinematographer and photographer in LA of the Iranian diaspora / half British-Australian.
you can see my work here!
taravioletniami.com
my cousin was one of the reporters on this Guardian piece. proud! www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
New York parties for Zohran Mamdani: ‘The first time we’ve had hope in so long’
In the bodegas, bars and clubs of Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, the mood was joyous – it was an emotional night
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:25 PM
my cousin was one of the reporters on this Guardian piece. proud! www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
proud to have been a New York City baby. (my Kindergarten class photo, me and friends in front of the Hungarian pastry shop in Morningside Heights, and visiting the gardens of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
November 5, 2025 at 8:23 PM
proud to have been a New York City baby. (my Kindergarten class photo, me and friends in front of the Hungarian pastry shop in Morningside Heights, and visiting the gardens of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
rest in peace Assata Shakur
September 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
rest in peace Assata Shakur
I signed Film Workers for Palestine's pledge to end complicity in Israel's genocide in Gaza. Humbled to put my name alongside some incredible filmmakers, actors and fellow industry professionals. You can see the list of signatories and sign here: filmworkersforpalestine.org#endingcompli...
September 9, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I signed Film Workers for Palestine's pledge to end complicity in Israel's genocide in Gaza. Humbled to put my name alongside some incredible filmmakers, actors and fellow industry professionals. You can see the list of signatories and sign here: filmworkersforpalestine.org#endingcompli...
my last time traveling was for a memorial (my late uncle who passed away after living with and struggling against cancer) earlier this summer. I've wanted to travel again for a less heavy purpose all summer before the start of this new school semester-I teach-and am glad I could. it was nourishing
September 1, 2025 at 2:32 PM
my last time traveling was for a memorial (my late uncle who passed away after living with and struggling against cancer) earlier this summer. I've wanted to travel again for a less heavy purpose all summer before the start of this new school semester-I teach-and am glad I could. it was nourishing
hello again. just came back from a real lovely albeit brief trip to New York for a wedding celebration. wish I could have stayed longer and seen more people while there but it was still wonderful and I'm so happy I went.
September 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
hello again. just came back from a real lovely albeit brief trip to New York for a wedding celebration. wish I could have stayed longer and seen more people while there but it was still wonderful and I'm so happy I went.
Reposted by Tara Violet
In My Room (Remastered)
YouTube video by The Beach Boys - Topic
www.youtube.com
June 11, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I was lucky enough to see Brian Wilson perform in Sydney, Australia in 2008. I was 14 years old.
And when I was 19, I wrote a little 'review' of a collection of Beach Boys' music for Rookie Mag.
www.rookiemag.com/2012/06/drea...
And when I was 19, I wrote a little 'review' of a collection of Beach Boys' music for Rookie Mag.
www.rookiemag.com/2012/06/drea...
Dreaming and Scheming - Rookie
Serious competition for the soundtrack of the summer.
www.rookiemag.com
June 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
I was lucky enough to see Brian Wilson perform in Sydney, Australia in 2008. I was 14 years old.
And when I was 19, I wrote a little 'review' of a collection of Beach Boys' music for Rookie Mag.
www.rookiemag.com/2012/06/drea...
And when I was 19, I wrote a little 'review' of a collection of Beach Boys' music for Rookie Mag.
www.rookiemag.com/2012/06/drea...
a few of my former cinematography students & their peers founded an Analog Cinematography Club at Chapman after discovering Chapman was no longer teaching shooting on film. they are holding a free public screening of some of their short film work tomorrow at Kodak. If you’re in LA, go check it out!
May 15, 2025 at 7:25 PM
a few of my former cinematography students & their peers founded an Analog Cinematography Club at Chapman after discovering Chapman was no longer teaching shooting on film. they are holding a free public screening of some of their short film work tomorrow at Kodak. If you’re in LA, go check it out!
Reposted by Tara Violet
On this 35th anniversary of the premiere of TWIN PEAKS, here are some of my favorite pieces about the original series, FWWM, and THE RETURN:
April 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
On this 35th anniversary of the premiere of TWIN PEAKS, here are some of my favorite pieces about the original series, FWWM, and THE RETURN:
Reposted by Tara Violet
It’s such an honor to be mentioned in Vanity Fair alongside my book. It’s the 35th anniversary of “Twin Peaks” — absolutely unbelievable it first aired so long ago. The show was life changing for me and so many others.
David Lynch is gone, but ‘Twin Peaks’ lives on.
On the 35th anniversary of the series premiere, Mike Hogan explores how the groundbreaking show—and the obsessive community around it—became an enduring cultural force.
On the 35th anniversary of the series premiere, Mike Hogan explores how the groundbreaking show—and the obsessive community around it—became an enduring cultural force.
As ‘Twin Peaks’ Turns 35, the Mystery Is Still the Message for a World of Fans
David Lynch and Mark Frost revolutionized TV with ‘Twin Peaks,’ a series that even now exudes paranormal cool. In the wake of Lynch’s death, our reporter dives into the show’s chaotic creation—and its...
www.vanityfair.com
April 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It’s such an honor to be mentioned in Vanity Fair alongside my book. It’s the 35th anniversary of “Twin Peaks” — absolutely unbelievable it first aired so long ago. The show was life changing for me and so many others.
made an opportunity happen and am in the process of bringing together. creatively stimulated with new ideas in a way that feels great. proud of myself.
April 7, 2025 at 11:47 PM
made an opportunity happen and am in the process of bringing together. creatively stimulated with new ideas in a way that feels great. proud of myself.
Reposted by Tara Violet
"It should not be controversial to say that we should all be against murdering civilians," Einbinder said while accepting the group's Visibility Award.
www.jezebel.com/in-stirring-...
www.jezebel.com/in-stirring-...
Hannah Einbinder Uses Human Rights Campaign Speech to Condemn 'Mass Murder' In Gaza
Since 2007, Jezebel has been the Internet's most treasured source for everything celebrities, sex, and politics...with teeth.
www.jezebel.com
March 24, 2025 at 5:03 PM
"It should not be controversial to say that we should all be against murdering civilians," Einbinder said while accepting the group's Visibility Award.
www.jezebel.com/in-stirring-...
www.jezebel.com/in-stirring-...
my friend Sarah organized a fundraiser for the Center for Human Rights an org that amplifies the voices of those in Iran & their reporting on human rights abuses. Hushi set up a haft sin (Nowruz arrangement of objects symbolizing new year & spring)honoring martyrs of the Women Life Freedom protests.
March 24, 2025 at 6:58 PM
my friend Sarah organized a fundraiser for the Center for Human Rights an org that amplifies the voices of those in Iran & their reporting on human rights abuses. Hushi set up a haft sin (Nowruz arrangement of objects symbolizing new year & spring)honoring martyrs of the Women Life Freedom protests.
two of my cinematography students directed and shot this video which premiered in Rolling Stone
!!
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
!!
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
The Linda Lindas Dance in a Kaleidoscope of Color in 'Don't Think' Video
The Linda Lindas music video 'Don't Think' was filmed over two weekends in the backyard and home of one of the bandmates.
www.rollingstone.com
March 24, 2025 at 6:40 PM
two of my cinematography students directed and shot this video which premiered in Rolling Stone
!!
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
!!
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Reposted by Tara Violet
Over at @reverseshot.bsky.social I spoke to Lebanese writer-director Heiny Srour about the restoration of her films LEILA AND THE WOLVES and THE HOUR OF LIBERATION HAS ARRIVED ahead of their week-long run at BAM Brooklyn.
Heiny Srour (Leila and the Wolves)
While working as both a journalist and film critic, she became interested in Third World cinema and the role of Arab women in revolutions. Throughout her career, Srour has used the tool of cinema to e...
reverseshot.org
March 11, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Over at @reverseshot.bsky.social I spoke to Lebanese writer-director Heiny Srour about the restoration of her films LEILA AND THE WOLVES and THE HOUR OF LIBERATION HAS ARRIVED ahead of their week-long run at BAM Brooklyn.
Reposted by Tara Violet
Let's not mince words:
Mahmoud Khalil was abducted and disappeared, without consideration of rule of law, by an authoritarian regime intent on crushing dissent and criticism.
Free Mahmoud Khalil.
Mahmoud Khalil was abducted and disappeared, without consideration of rule of law, by an authoritarian regime intent on crushing dissent and criticism.
Free Mahmoud Khalil.
UPDATE—Mahmoud's attorney says they do NOT know where he is.
They were first told he was sent to an ICE facility in Elizabeth, NJ. But when his 8-month-pregnant wife tried to visit him, she was told he's not there.
They've received reports he may be sent as far away as Louisiana.
They were first told he was sent to an ICE facility in Elizabeth, NJ. But when his 8-month-pregnant wife tried to visit him, she was told he's not there.
They've received reports he may be sent as far away as Louisiana.
March 10, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Let's not mince words:
Mahmoud Khalil was abducted and disappeared, without consideration of rule of law, by an authoritarian regime intent on crushing dissent and criticism.
Free Mahmoud Khalil.
Mahmoud Khalil was abducted and disappeared, without consideration of rule of law, by an authoritarian regime intent on crushing dissent and criticism.
Free Mahmoud Khalil.
Reposted by Tara Violet
There is no world in which it is acceptable for a professor to work so assiduously to try and get students studying at his university arrested, kidnapped and deported.
And I cannot believe this man actually trying to suggest he is under threat.
And I cannot believe this man actually trying to suggest he is under threat.
March 9, 2025 at 11:36 PM
There is no world in which it is acceptable for a professor to work so assiduously to try and get students studying at his university arrested, kidnapped and deported.
And I cannot believe this man actually trying to suggest he is under threat.
And I cannot believe this man actually trying to suggest he is under threat.
Reposted by Tara Violet
re the previous repost: if they can disappear permanent residents they can disappear citizens
March 9, 2025 at 10:25 PM
re the previous repost: if they can disappear permanent residents they can disappear citizens
asked my students if they'd seen any good films this week and after they asked me what I'd seen, I told them WHERE IS THE FRIEND'S HOUSE? by Abbas Kiarostami and NO OTHER LAND. two students were saying how much they wanted to see NO OTHER LAND and how they wish it had proper distribution.
March 6, 2025 at 1:20 AM
asked my students if they'd seen any good films this week and after they asked me what I'd seen, I told them WHERE IS THE FRIEND'S HOUSE? by Abbas Kiarostami and NO OTHER LAND. two students were saying how much they wanted to see NO OTHER LAND and how they wish it had proper distribution.
Reposted by Tara Violet
Amazing to get a typo on the screen DURING the screenplay award nominees.
March 3, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Amazing to get a typo on the screen DURING the screenplay award nominees.
Reposted by Tara Violet
For this starter pack on @letterboxd.social I chose one film from each of the 19 filmmakers interviewed in CINEMA HER WAY that I think either exemplifies their contribution to the art of cinema, or is woefully underseen, or in some cases both.
Cinema Her Way: a starter park of nineteen films from women directors that you should see • Journal • A Letterboxd Magazine
In celebration of her new book, Cinema Her Way: Visionary Female Directors in Their Own Words, author Marya E. Gates selects one sensational film from each of the nineteen women filmmakers she has int...
boxd.it
March 1, 2025 at 7:31 PM
For this starter pack on @letterboxd.social I chose one film from each of the 19 filmmakers interviewed in CINEMA HER WAY that I think either exemplifies their contribution to the art of cinema, or is woefully underseen, or in some cases both.
Reposted by Tara Violet
Hackman wasn't even nominated for an Oscar for The Conversation. Unbelievable. One of the greatest screen performances of all time.
February 27, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Hackman wasn't even nominated for an Oscar for The Conversation. Unbelievable. One of the greatest screen performances of all time.
Reposted by Tara Violet
The star, whose work ranged from ‘The French Connection’ to ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ and far beyond, barely changed his look but constantly transformed himself.
Gene Hackman’s Absolute Power
The star, whose work ranged from ‘The French Connection’ to ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ and far beyond, barely changed his look but constantly transformed himself.
www.vulture.com
February 27, 2025 at 8:10 PM
The star, whose work ranged from ‘The French Connection’ to ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ and far beyond, barely changed his look but constantly transformed himself.
buy Marya's amazing book!!!
MY BOOK IS ON SALE TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pre-order link and book tour dates here: maryaegates.com/cinemaherway/
A little bit about the book's journey: oldfilmsflicker.substack.com/p/cinema-her...
pre-order link and book tour dates here: maryaegates.com/cinemaherway/
A little bit about the book's journey: oldfilmsflicker.substack.com/p/cinema-her...
February 27, 2025 at 6:53 PM
buy Marya's amazing book!!!