USA and Iran Exhibiting Public Displays of Affection?

Olympians Jordan Burroughs and Sadegh Goudarzi’s recent public embrace captured the media spotlight. In early 2013, Olympian Hannah Teter will attempt to showcase how relationships through sports are able to transcend international conflicts as she snowboards the slopes in Iran.

Washington, DC – Public displays of affection between Iran and the USA are
uncommon, a fact which made this month’s embrace between Olympic wrestlers
Jordan Burroughs and Sadegh Goudarzi all the more meaningful. While Iranian and
American wrestlers have enjoyed over a decade of cultural
exchange, the relationship has rarely seen the media spotlight. That is why
commentators immediately jumped on the Burroughs/Goudarzi embrace as a sign
that relationships through sport and individual competition are able to
transcend international conflicts.

The
minds behind Boarders without Borders, a
documentary that will chronicle snowboarding emissaries to Iran, hope to
channel a similar message. Led by Olympic gold medalist Hannah Teter and
professional snowboarder Gabi Viteri, the team is aiming to travel to Tehran in
early 2013. Once they arrive, they intend to give viewers a window into Iran
and the unique Iranian snowboarding scene. “With over 70% of the population
under 35,” the
producers say, “counter-cultures like snowboarding are the hidden
sanctuaries of the youth of Iran.”

As such, a large part of the film
will be dedicated to the experience of coming to Iran. A
proposed overview of the film concentrates on the relationships that the
snowboarders will foster, with the mountains and snowboarding being a stunning
backdrop for cultural exchange. “For us, this film is 100% about people,” says
Chris Olenik. Viteri
echoes this sentiment, aiming to “show everyone that politics can be put
aside and new friendships can be made anywhere in any circumstance.”

The filmmakers and stars have faced
continued discouragement from friends and family. For Teter, however, this only
highlights the need for more understanding. “A lot of people think it is a bad
idea…. That makes me want to go even more, because we’ll be able to see and
show this beautiful country of Iran and the snowboarders there that nobody
seems to know much about,” she
says.

The film is being funded largely by
viewer engagement and donation. This is partially due to limitations on
traditional production financing due to sanctions and the current state of
U.S./Iran relations. If you’d like to donate, follow the link to the film’s
Kickstarter campaign below.

Boarders without Borders Kickstarter >> Click Here