IRANIAN CINEMA

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 Sequence of Presentation
1. Introduction
2. Historical Evolution
3. Influences on Iranian Cinema
4. Techniques
5. Major Themes
6. International fame
7. Lessons Learnt
8. Conclusion
9. Recommended Movies

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 Introduction
 Iranian Cinema has been lauded worldwide for
its artistic maturity , simplicity of techniques
and diversity of themes.
 Couched in Iranian social, cultural and political
experience, it has emerged as a vibrant
industry.
 In its significance and influence, it has been
compared to Italian and French film industries.

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 Historical Evolution 1/8
 Historical evolution of Iranian Cinema can be
studied in three phases:

1. Pre-Revolutionary Phase (1900-1978)

2. Post-Revolutionary Phase (1979-1990)

3. Contemporary era (1990-Today)

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 Historical Evolution 2/8
Pre-Revolutionary Phase
 Iranian film industry took birth at the
beginning of 20th Century.

 First Persian Film-maker was Mirza Ebhrahim

Khan who opened the first movie theatre in
Tehran in 1904.

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 Historical Evolution 3/8
 First silent movie was made by Prof. Ohanian
called “ Haji Agha” in 1930. He also opened
the first film art school in Tehran.
 Abdul Hussain made the first sound movie
“Lor Girl” in 1932.
 During Shah era, on average 70 movies were
produced annually but movies making social
and political critique were banned completely.

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 Historical Evolution 4/8
 Focus was on melodramas and thrillers.
 Notable movies of this era are The Cow, Kaiser
and The House is Black.
 Notable directors are Sohrab Shahid, Masoud
Kimai, Bahram Beyzai etc.

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 Lor Girl VS. THE ARAB SHEIKH

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 Historical Evolution 5/8
Post-Revolutionary Phase
 The first few years after revolution were
uncertain for film industry.
 The new regime considered films as tool of
Western cultural imperialism.
 Attempts were made to “Islamize” the industry
under Ministry of Culture and Islamic
Guidance. Strict censorship rules were
introduced.

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 Historical Evolution 6/8
 During Iraq-Iran War (1980-1988), the new
regime realized use of films as tool of
propaganda.
 In late 1980s, cinema was revived due to
innovative methods employed by directors to
bypass censorship, public demand for movies
and government support, especially under
President Muhammad Khatami.

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 War films
 Jan-bazan (Bravados, Naser Muhammadi, 1983).
 Parchamdar (The Standard Bearer, Shahriar
Bahrani, 1985).
 Ofogh (Horizon, Rasul Molagholipur, 1988) .
 Ensan va Aslaheh (Man and Weapon, Mojtaba
Ra’i, 1988).

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 Historical Evolution 7/8
Contemporary Era
 Today’s Iranian film industry is considered to
be “one of the most exciting film industry” in
world.
 Two main types of movies are made:
 Commercial
 Alternative

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 Historical Evolution 8/8
 Famous directors are Abbas Kiarostami, Majid
Majidi and Jafar Panahi.

 Notable movies are Taste of Cherry, A

Separation, Children of Heavens, The Apple,
The Circle etc.

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 Influences on Iranian Cinema 1/2
 Three factors have shaped Iranian cinema :

1. Foreign Influences:
 Italian and French movies’ techniques have been
borrowed.

 Most of the directors have been trained abroad and

have watched and studied French and Italian movies.

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 Influences on Iranian Cinema 2/2
2.Censorship:
Censorship has the ironic side-effect of motivating
Iranian directors to invent new methods, creating a
new grammar for film industry.

3.Rich Artistic Legacy:

Iran has a long standing tradition of public
theatres. Poets like Rumi and Omer Khayyam
have influenced modern directors. The Silence and
Conference of Birds are inspired by their poetry.

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 Techniques 1/2
 Dialogues are simple and non-dramatic.
 Usually non-professional actors are cast.
 Focus is on real, ordinary life events.
 Movies are filmed in real locations, usually in
rural areas.
 There is absence of clever editing and eye-
catching angles as inspired by Italian neo-
realism.
 There is blurring of lines between film and
documentary.
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 Techniques 2/2
 Children are used as narrators to circumvent
censorship because they can make social
critique and physical contact.
 Comical situations are sometimes used to
highlight political issues.

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 Major Themes 1/2

Iranian films have touched on a variety of themes:

 Philosophical like meaning of life (Taste of

Cherry)
 Family issues like impact of divorce on
children ( A Separation)
 Role of Woman in Iranian Society like right to
vote (Secret Ballot)
 Social issues like class division ( Crimson Gold)

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 Major Themes 2/2
 Critique on moral decline in society(Where is
the Friend’s Home?)
 War (Scent of Yousef’s Shirt)
 Religious themes _ Tragedy of Karbala
 Plight of ethnic minorities like Kurds and
Afghan refugees ( Kandhar)
 Political issues have been generally ignored
due to censorship

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 International Fame
 Iranian films have received international
awards like Oscar and Golden Globe.
 They have been showcased in famous film
festivals like Cannes, Berlin, London etc
 Critique: Critics have censured Iranian
directors for making films for foreign
audiences to win awards, ignoring political
issues of modern Iran.

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 Lessons Learnt
 Even good films can be made within limited
resources.

 Censorship is no excuse for making bad

movies.

 Iranian film industry has received foreign

influence without giving up national identity.

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 Conclusion
 Despite many hurdles, Iranian film industry
has thrived.
 It has served as mirror of Iranian society.
 It has so far balanced commercial interests and
artistic integrity.

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 Thank You
Andreea Matei

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