Below are some of the best Iranian directors ever. Click on their pictures to discover more about them.
A Brief History of Iranian Cinema
The history of cinema in Iran traces its origins to the early 20th century during the reign of Mozaffareddin Shah of the Qajar dynasty. It was he who, captivated by cinematographic footage during his visit to France, commissioned the acquisition of film equipment for Iran. The first Iranian cinema opened in 1904, laying the foundation for future growth. By the 1930s and 1940s, cinema flourished in Tehran with the establishment of movie theatres. The medium evolved from royal propaganda to encompass a wider range of themes, including social commentary. The 1960s and 1970s heralded the Iranian New Wave, marked by poetic realism and a unique narrative style, with filmmakers like Dariush Mehrjui and Forough Farrokhzad at the forefront of this transformative era in Iranian cinematic history.
Post-revolution, the 1980s saw a shift towards themes promoting Islamic and nationalistic values due to the establishment of the Islamic Republic. Despite stringent censorship, this period also witnessed the emergence of some of Iran’s most renowned directors, who have garnered international acclaim. Abbas Kiarostami and Mohsen Makhmalbaf led the charge, creating films that subtly critiqued social and political issues while showcasing the human condition. Their movies, often blending fiction with reality, have been celebrated at major international film festivals, helping to put Iranian cinema on the global map.
Contemporary Iranian cinema continues to thrive with a new generation of filmmakers such as Asghar Farhadi, who won Iran its first-ever Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film with “A Separation” in 2011. This era is characterised by its nuanced exploration of family dynamics, social justice, and gender roles within the constraints of Iranian culture and politics. Despite facing funding challenges and censorship, Iranian directors have persisted in creating thought-provoking films that resonate with both national and international audiences.
Bronze Screen Dream 