September 12 has been designated as National Cinema Day since the year 2000, during the 4th Iran Cinema Celebration.
Director of Cinema Organization of Iran Mehdi Khazaei in a message to congratulate the day wrote that the body and its affiliations are making a great attempt to develop the industry and overcome cineastes’ challenges.
The day is not only registered in the Iranian calendar, but also achieves a high status in Iranians’ hearts, Khazaei said.
The Iranian cinema industry is formed on three pillars: The law, justice, and standardization, to witness prosperity and revival of cinema, film production and screening, and strengthening the process of social growth, he added.
Attempts were made to open up new opportunities in the national and international arenas, developing cinema infrastructure in different cities, discovering new talents, reviving provincial cinema, and encouraging all Iranian youths and cinema lovers in cultural events and programs, he noted, highlighting that cinema is one of the most influential social foundations in the society.
The birth anniversary of Morteza Avini, the day is an opportunity to appreciate the heritage that grew and developed in the context of the Islamic Revolution and brought countless achievements and honors to this country, he concluded.
In addition, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani on his Instagram account wrote on Monday, “Cinema is a powerful tool of public diplomacy in the country. Cinema is an artistic window for the people of a country and the nations of the world to talk with each other.”
“The seventh art is one of the most effective arts of communication and discourse among people. Today, Iran’s cinema and cineastes enjoy a high and respectable status in the world.”
Cinema is a powerful tool of public diplomacy which can portray the human, moral, religious, and revolutionary beliefs and ideals of the Iranian people in the best way possible, he reiterated.
The inception of cinema in Iran dates back to Mozaffareddin Shah Qajar, the fifth Qajar king of Persia, in 1900.
Mirza Ebrahim Khan, alias ‘Akkas Bashi,’ was the first Persian filmmaker and cameraman. He was the official photographer of the Qajar king.
The first film produced in Iran, ‘Blue and Robbie,’ was a silent film that was released in 1930.
Source: Tehran Times