September 12 marks Iran’s National Cinema Day

September 12 marks the National Cinema Day in the calendar of the Islamic Republic of Iran.  

Cinema was first introduced in Iran by Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar, the fifth Qajar king of Persia, in 1900, and five years after Lumiere brothers first created cinematograph in 1985.

The cinema industry in Iran has flourished after Iran's Islamic Revolution, especially in recent years, with a range of international film festivals honoring Iranian cinema for its distinct style, themes and cultural references.

Iranian film masterpieces continue to attract global attention at prestigious international festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival, Academy Awards, the Venice Film Festival and the Berlin Film Festival.

Firsts of Iranian cinema:

In 1930, 'Blue and Robbie' was made as the first silent Iranian film.

Co-produced by Ardeshir Irani and Abdolhossein Sepanta under a Film Company in Mumbai, 'Doḵtar-e Lor’ (Lor Girl) was also the first film in which the Persian language was heard on the screen. It was made in India with local technicians and Persian actors.

In 1956, late actress Shahla Riyahi made 'Marjan' to be named as the first Iranian woman to direct a movie.

'Taste of Cherry' — a 1997 film by late legendary Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami — was awarded the Palme d'Or at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival. It was the first film from Iran which was awarded at Cannes festival.

Asghar Farhadi’s 2011 'Separation' won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012, becoming the first Iranian film to win the Oscar.

Farhadi won the best Screenplay from the Cannes Film Festival for his another movie, 'The Salesman'. Apart from Asghar Farhadi, Shahab Hosseini also won the Best Actor Award from the Cannes Film Festival.

The film industry in Iran has become intertwined with Iranian identity, culture, civilization, religion, and history and has created glorious works.

MM/FM