Iran, China discuss earlier MOUs on joint filmmaking

Cinema Organization of Iran director Mohammad Khazaee has met the Chinese ambassador to Tehran, Chang Hua, discussing the execution of Iran-China memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on film industry.

Khazaee said, “So far, two MOUs have been signed between the two countries in 2006 and 2020, however, unfortunately, parts of the memorandums have never been implemented”.

He also noted, “This meeting has been organized to pursue the execution of the MOUs, as well as to seek arrangement for new agreements on cinema between the two countries”.

Khazaee added Iranian cinema needs the Chinese market, saying the MOUs have the potential to provide opportunities for the countries’ specialized film organizations to work on film distribution in the countries.

The Iranian official asked China to dedicate a major portion of its market to Iranian films every year and to help Iran equip its movie theaters with modern technologies and film screening devices.

Announcing Iran’s plan to build 700 movie theaters across the country in the near future, he said China can support the country to put the plan into action.

Screening foreign films in Iranian movie theaters is forbidden, however, Khazaee said Chinese films can be screened in Iran based on mutual agreements between the two countries.

He asked for China’s collaboration on joint film projects, adding “Joint film projects can help to improve mutual understanding among the people of the two countries.”

For his part, Hua said Iran and China have done well on film cooperation.

The Chinese ambassador also noted that Iranian films are being screened in China and the Chinese international film events in Shanghai and Beijing.

He also referred to Iranian directors Majid Majidi and Narges Abyar who are currently collaborating with Chinese filmmakers on joint film projects, and noted that “We can expand our relations in the film industry”.

MG/AG