Iranian Films

Iran has strong roots in the visual arts right from the 500 BC as evidenced by the works of bas-reliefs sculpted out of stone and metal and these visual practices overlap from  the Zoriastrian era  to the Islamic era that shuns visual symbols.In performing arts, Iran has a history of the puppet sow called khaymeshab-bazi and shadow show called saye-bazi.This culture of Persian empire before the British and French dismantled it after the WWI continues. Even the 1979 Revolution  and its long war with Iraq between 1980 and 1988 could not weaken these roots.During war years, Iran produced crime thrillers.

Iranian film industry or Persian Cinema represents the commercial films and there is a separate segment of Iranian art films.Cinema was just a baby of 5 years when it reached Persia at the beginning of the 20th century. Tehran got its first theatre in 1904. Till the thrities, some 15 theatres in Tehran appeared with some 11 elsewhere.In 1925, the first film school was established.

The very first Iranian silent film was Haji Agha made by Ohanian.It was followed by Lor Girl in 1932 which was the first sound film.It was made by Abdolhossein.In early Irani cinema, we take notice of Shirin and Farhad, a classic Iranian love story directed by Septana. Nader Shah’s invasion of India was shown in Black Eyes. In 1937, Laili Majnoon, an Eastern love story a la Romeo Juliet was screened.All these early movies were mostly based on mythology and Persian literature.

After the early movies, we consider the pre-Revolution cinema between the 1950s and 1970s. In eraly 1960s, 25 films were produced per annum and by the end of the 1960s, this number rose to 65.In 1965, Siamak Yasmi made Ganj-e-Qarun and Masoud made Kaiser.Arman made Bride of the Sea in 1965.Ebrahim made The Brick and the Mirror in 1967. Davood made Husband of Ahoo Kanom in 1968.At Tehran, a film festival was held in 1973.

In 1979, there was Revolution. Mosen Makhmalbaf’s Boycott is set in the era of Shah Reza Pehalvi. It had an actor, then 26 year old, Majid Majidi who later evolved into a director.New Iranian cinema emerged in the 1970s. When Revolution happened, filmmakers went underground. Bettween 1979 and 1985, in post-revolutionary era some 100 fims were made.Of course, there was censorship.

As we enter this millennium, in 2001, Iran produced 87 films. Many were melodramas and historical pageants.Contemporary Iranian cinema has several segments.There are commercial Iranian films. We will note the contributions of Mohammad Al Fardin.The war time crime thrillers are Senator(!983), The Eagles (19840, The Boycott(1985), The Tenants (19860 and Kani Manga(1987).Another segment is new wave films of Khosrow Sinai, Parviz, Sorab and Bahram who are innovative directors.These are meant for the elite festival audience, whereas popular art films in Iran have a wider audience. Nasser and Ali Hatami represent this school.. Iranian women too are making cinema, and the notable names are Leila, Hana, Samira, Pari Saberi, Niki Karimi and Rakhshan.Many Iranian actresses have made a mark — Mahavash, Azita, Mary, Googoosh, Shohreh, Fatemeh, Pegah and Shoraya.One more segment is Iranian war films such as Tears of Cold, In the Alleys of Love and Duel. Iranian animation films too are made.David O Russel’s Three Kings features George Clooney, Mark Whalberg and Ice Cube — the three US soldiers who try to steal a stash of Kuwaiti gold hidden in Karbala.

Iran has decided to give up its going nuclear programme.By doing this it has leapt into the 21st century.President Rouhani and foreign minister Javad Sharif are being treated like rock stars.Excepting Iranian films which won so many awards at festivals while other films from countries such as Saudi, Kuwait, Egypt Yemen, UAE, pakistan do not do so.

Offside of Jafar Panahi is about football.Majid Majidi’s Children of Heaven or The Colour of Paradise must be watched to understand the depth of his genius.

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