NLAI showcasing Iran cinema history, honoring late actor

The National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI) has been running an exhibition of documentaries, periodicals, photos, posters and cinema equipments.

The exhibition, opened on September 11, 2018, one day before Iran’s National Day of Cinema, is part of Iranian programs to celebrate the occasion in the country.

It showcases rarely-seen photos, film documents, and a collection of top film news in celebration of the 118th anniversary of cinema in Iran. The exhibit will run until September 22.

Also honoring the late Iranian actor Ezzatollah Entezami, the organizers screen a restored version of Iranian director Dariush Mehrjoui’s 1969 drama ‘The Cow’ on the sidelines of the exhibition.

Annually the date Shahrivar 21 in the Persian calendar, coinciding with September 12, is marked as National Day of Cinema in Iran.

Born in 1924, Entezami started his career on stage in 1941 and graduated from a theater and cinema school in Hanover, Germany, in 1958.

Upon his return to Iran, he became a voice and television actor.

His debut performance was in ‘The Cow’, which received a Golden Hugo from the Chicago International Film Festival in 1971.

He has received two Fajr International Film Festival’s Crystal Simorghs for Best Actor for ‘Grand Cinema’ and ‘Angel’s Day’.

Entezami also received a certificate of Merit from the Fajr Festival for ‘Nassereddin Shah Film Actor’.

He has acted in several movies, including 'Mr. Simpleton', 'The Postman', 'Hereafter', 'Kamal-ol-Molk', 'Suitcase', 'In the Storm's Path', 'The Angelica', 'Hamoon', 'Shadow of Illusion', 'The Empty House', 'The Fateful Day', 'A Place to Live', 'The Verdict', 'Night', 'Maritime Silk Road', and 'Being 40'.

He has also appeared in some series such as 'Hezar Dastan', 'Life', and 'The Trial'.

Entezami passed away on Friday morning August 17, 2018, in Tehran at his home, following a period of illness, at the age of 94.

ifilm TV published an exclusive interview with the late actor almost one year before his death. Click here to read the interview.

MG/MG