How conservatives are elbowing out Reformists in Iranian cinema
Even though most prominent Iranian producers and directors have Reformist leanings, it is conservatives who are the most proactive in this arena.
Iranians have long been fond of cinema, and the country’s politicians are no exception. But in recent decades, politicians have been increasingly influencing the film industry to achieve political objectives.
Iranian cinema and politics have always had a relationship with each other, but the role of cinema in politics surged in the late 1990s. Indeed, Iranian presidential candidates took the film industry more seriously by asking skilled directors and producers to make documentaries about them to be broadcast on state TV as part of their campaigns.
This strategy was initiated ahead of the 1997 presidential election, which saw Reformist Mohammad Khatami defeat conservative Ali Akbar Nategh-Nuri. Reform-minded Seifollah Dad and Manouchehr Mohammadi were the men behind Khatami’s electoral documentary.
After Khatami appointed Dad as the top official in charge of cinematic affairs at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, directors were more tempted to enter politics and establish a relationship with politicians.
