Tehran Times , Iran
May 3 2009
Film critic Qukasian honored in Tehran
Tehran Times Art Desk
TEHRAN — Tribute was paid to veteran Iranian film critic, writer and
filmmaker Zaven Qukasian during the second edition of Iran’s Cinema
Book of the Year ceremony held at Iran’s House of Cinema Thursday
evening.
Managing director of the House Mohammad-Mehdi Asgarpur and a group of
cinematic figures attended the ceremony.
The ceremony continued with screening a short film on Qukasian in
which cinematic figures Khosro Sinaii, Kianush Ayyari, Minu Farshchi
and Jamshid Arjmand talked about Qukasian.
Filmmaker Bahman Farmanara next made a short speech on Qukasian and
said, `I have been friends with Qukasian for years. We are both from
Isfahan and whenever I get the chance to travel there, I would be sure
to meet him. Actually, it is hard to befriend a critic, especially
when you are a filmmaker, and he is a critic. But he is the kindest
critic I know.
`He might be kind, however, he informs us of his views too, but he
doesn’t tear apart the filmmaker with his criticism. He never left
Isfahan and tried to develop cinema in the city and actually brought
cinema experts to Isfahan.
`Qukasian has been the source of major cinematic events in Isfahan. He
organized one of the most successful short film festivals there, but
someone prohibited the event. He never complained about it and went on
to publish a magazine of Persian art, which was warmly received at
that time.’
Farmanara later pointed to the active presence of the
Armenian-Christian nation residing in Iran and continued, `Iran’s
cinema is indebted to the Armenian minority (of Iran). They have made
great progress in the technical aspect of cinema. For example, Samuel
Khachikian and Varuj Karim-Masihi are two examples of veteran Armenian
filmmakers.
`Qukasian is a successful documentary filmmaker but he also worked
hard on the educational part as well. I am so happy the House of
Cinema is holding a ceremony in his honor and wish him all health and
success,’ Farmanara concluded.
Actress Fatemeh Motamed-Arya was next to make a short speech and said,
`I am so happy to talk about Zaven. I always learned many things
working with him. He never forgets where you stand in the world. His
delicate characteristics are rooted in the magnificent architecture of
Isfahan.
`When you are with him in Isfahan, part of his words goes back to the
love his mother had toward him. For me Qukasian is like a child from
whom I learn a lot. His honest personality and manner are what allow
me to tell him what is in my heart, and only to him and nobody else.’
Afterwards, the honorary plaque was handed to Qukasian who also made a
short speech and stated, `Newton has said in one of his statements,
`If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants
who have come before me.’ And all these years, I tried to put myself
on the shoulders of the dear and splendid giants around me to see a
few steps more in front of me. Their breath gives me life and hope.
`We must understand first to learn more. I made great efforts to
understand myself and others, to understand the films, filmmakers, and
the critics in the country and overseas.
`In order to see a few steps further, I talked a lot with filmmakers
Masud Kimiaii, Bahram Beizaii, Mohammadreza Aslani, Bahman Farmanara,
and even young filmmakers and critics,’ he remarked.
Managing director Asgarpur also talked about Iran’s Cinema Book of the
Year award and announced that the number of the books published in
this field has increased over the past year and 35 books were judged,
and expressed hope to have more in the future.
The ceremony continued with presentation of the award to Ahmad
Zabeti-Jahromi for his articles in the book `Thirty Years Cinema.’
At the translation section, the award went to Mohammad Gozarabadi for
the `The Writer’s Journey’ by Christopher Vogler.
At the writing section, the award went to Rokhsareh Qaem-Maqami for
the book `Documentary Animation, A New Method of Narration.’
Photo: Iranian film critic Zaven Qukasian (1st from left) bows to the
audiences attending the ceremony in which he was honored for his
lifetime achievement at the House of Cinema in Tehran on April 30,
2009. Director Bahman Farmanara (C) and actress Fatemeh Motamed-Arya
are also seen in the photo. (Mehr/Mohammadreza Abbasi)