Thursday October 19, 2023 14:51310

A portrait of late veteran Iranian director Darioush Mehrjouee

iFilm English website features a profile of late veteran Iranian New Wave director Darioush Mehrjouee.

With the passing of Darioush Mehrjouee and his wife Vahideh Mohammadifar on October 14, the Iranian cinema community mourns the loss of a legendary filmmaker.

Mehrjouee, renowned for his pioneering contributions to Iranian cinema, is remembered for his profound impact on the world of film, as he introduced realism, symbolism, and the sensibilities of art cinema.

As a founding member of the Iranian New Wave movement in the early 1970s, his work reshaped the landscape of Iranian cinema.

Mehrjouee, born in Tehran in December 1939 to an art-loving, upper-middle-class family, developed a passion for the arts at a young age, learning music and painting.

At 17, he discovered his love for cinema, which motivated him to learn English and eventually led him to California for dual studies in film and philosophy at UCLA.

Surprisingly, he changed to studying philosophy and got a bachelor's degree. At the same time, he worked as a cultural ambassador, promoting Iranian literature at a California magazine called Pars Review.

His entry into the world of film was rather unique. He was asked to write a script for a movie called ‘James Bond in Iran’, which eventually led to his directorial debut, ‘Diamond 33’ (1966). Even though the movie did not do well commercially or with critics, it taught him a lot.

His later movies, such as ‘The Cow’ (1969), ‘Mr. Naïve’ (1971), and ‘The Mailman’ (1972), showed he was a visionary filmmaker who changed Iranian cinema worldwide. His unique style of storytelling gained him nationwide acclaim.

In 1985, he made ‘The Tenants’ (1986), a film that broke box-office records despite criticism. ‘Hamoon’ (1990) appealed to various audiences, and ‘Banoo’ (1991) faced controversy for its portrayal of societal disparities.

In 'Sara' (1992), Mehrjouee kept getting critical acclaim and causing controversy. In 'Mix' (2000), he talked about problems in Iranian filmmaking, showing the conflict between modernity and tradition.

Mehrjouee's movies have a special style, influenced by famous filmmakers and their unique ways of showing scenes, sound, editing, and lighting. His work doesn't fit into one category and is liked by many people, as it explores human life and its challenges.

Even at the age of 83 when he passed away in 2023, Mehrjouee's legacy lives on through many awards. His movies go beyond culture, time, and place, talking about common themes and making people think. His filmmaking has influenced filmmakers all over the world.

Mehrjouee's work shows how art and meaning last in a business-focused industry. He's a storyteller whose tales will be etched in the annals of global cinema history.

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