TEHRAN- A commemoration ceremony was held at the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) on Monday to honor the renowned and late filmmakers Dariush Mehrjui and Kioumars Pourahmad. 

The event gathered filmmakers and artists in the Naseri Hall of the forum, coinciding with the celebration of Iranian National Cinema Day.

Last year marked the tragic end of renowned Iranian director Kioumars Pourahmad's life at the age of 74 in his residence in Bandar Anzali.

According to a report by the Persian magazine Filma Emrooz, Pourahmad took his own life due to a combination of depression, disappointment, pessimism about the future, and feelings of vanity.

Pourahmad gained widespread acclaim for his work on "The Stories of Majid," a beloved TV series from the early 1990s based on the best-selling book of the same name by Hushang Moradi Kermani. The series revolves around the adventurous teenage boy Majid and his life with his grandmother Bibi in Isfahan.

Portraying the role of Bibi was Parvindokht Yazdanian, Pourahmad's mother, who also appeared in several of his films such as "Yalda Night" and "Morning of the Next Day." In a tribute to his late mother in 2012, Pourahmad praised her acting skills, mentioning her ability to connect with audiences effortlessly.

One of Pourahmad's own life experiences inspired his film "Yalda Night," a poignant story about Hamed, who, following his family's migration to Europe in pursuit of a better life, finds himself reevaluating his existence while in self-imposed isolation.

Originally from Najafabad in Isfahan Province, Pourahmad relocated to Tehran, where he started his career as a writer and critic for Film, a prominent monthly magazine. Additionally, he collaborated as an assistant director with filmmaker Nader Ebrahimi on the TV series "Fire without Smoke" in the early 1970s.

Throughout his career, Pourahmad wrote and directed around 30 films, including notable works like "Bibi Chelcheleh," "Next Morning," "Bread and Poem," and "Night Bus." His most recent film, "The Case Is Open," was showcased at the prestigious Fajr Film Festival in 2023.

Pourahmad chronicled his life journey in his autobiography titled "The Unfinished Childhood," published by Elm in 2001, offering readers a glimpse into the experiences that shaped his artistic vision and storytelling prowess.

Born in 1939 in Tehran, Mehrjui was a renowned Iranian filmmaker who was known for introducing realism, symbolism, and the sensibilities of art cinema. 

"Sara" (1993), "Pari" (1995), "Leila" (1996), "Mom's Guest" (2004), and "The Orange Suit" (2012) are among his credits. His most recent film, "La Minor," was released in 2020.

Throughout his career, Mehrjui has received numerous accolades and awards for his contributions to Iranian cinema. His films have been showcased at prestigious film festivals globally, earning him a dedicated following of cinephiles and critical acclaim.

Mehrjui was stabbed to death in October 2023 alongside his wife Vahideh Mohammadifar at their home in Karaj, Alborz Province. His tragic murder was met with widespread reactions.

Photo: Iranian filmmakers Kioumars Pourahmad (L) and Dariush Mehrjui in an undated photo

SAB/