kiarostami, a man whom iranian cinema_marjanriahi
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7/30/2019 Kiarostami, A Man Whom Iranian Cinema_MarjanRiahi
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S I L H O U E T T E
Kiarostami, a man whom Iranian Cinema is proud of
Marjan Riahi
The history of religions shows that most prophets were appointed and
then lead their followers in their middle ages. Abbas Kiarostami also got his
global fame while he was a middle aged director and truly, he could affect
the most on younger Iranian directors.
At that age, Kiarostami walked on the red carpets of several
outstanding festivals and his name entered the list of best directors of world
cinema. A director whom the world believed and had faith in his simple view
about life.
Iranian photographer, graphist, author and director suddenly turned to
be the idol of Iran cinema, after winning the gold palm in Canne festival. His
photographs received gladly by audiences in Iranian and international
galleries. He published his own collection of Hafez and Sadi poems and hit
the best selling book records in Iran, while global success of his movies
increased the huge number of his fans. These admirers are mostly young
directors who seek the secret of his achievements and want to walk on the
same road.
In the last two
decades, no other
Iranian director could
ever touch on young
Iranian directors. For
them he was like a
chevalier who could
overcome all the
hardship of directing
commercial movies
and show them lights
of hope. He proved that cinema does not need heavy cameras, negative andcosts for scene or super stars with million dollars contracts.
Watching movies like Under the olive trees and Taste of Cherry, Iranian
young directors understood that cinema can go on without super stars.
Moreover,ABC Africa, Ten, and Five helped them to find out that the magic of
cinema can be created by small digital cameras. He was the pioneer of digital
revolution in Iran. His behavior made young directors believed that only with
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S I L H O U E T T E
a creative idea and one small digital camera, they can impress the world. But
with all his creativity, Kiarostami was a double-edged sword.
Some learned from him then found their own ways and shined like a
star in the sky of cinema. Directors like Jafar Panahi, Bahman Ghobadi, and
who were his assistants at the early steps. Even Niki Karimi in her first
movie One Night which was an acceptable one was totally affected by
Kiarostami.
On the other side, there were a huge number of youths seeking for
fame. They thought they can reach where he was in just one day by only
copying his frames and directing style. Unfortunately, a young generation
entered Iranian cinema industry slowly, who has no idea but to reach the
position of Kiarostami.
Hundreds of short films which were blind copies of Kiarostami, were
made with no creativity. The sad point is that these copies welcomed by
several small and big world festivals and as a result more Iranians especially
those youths from small cities were encouraged to do the same.
But recently, Abbas Kiarostami holds some workshops about directing.
These workshops give his followers the chance to become familiar with his
views. Some of his students became remarkable directors in the short film
area. But regarding the high costs of these workshops, unfortunately, some
attendants only try to show off and just talk about being his student.
Honestly, I have to admit that Kiarostami is the man who Irans Cinema
is proud of. He shined like a star in the sky of World Cinema and got the
respect because he had faith in his talents, abilities & look to both cinema
and life.
Then I hope one day, those who copy his method, master pieces, and
even those dark glasses understand that the only way to become a legend is
being unique and original.
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