A large number of cinema directors had a cordial meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, June 13.
At the beginning of the meeting which took nearly three hours, 16 cinema directors, including Mas'oud Ja'fari Jowzani, Tahmineh Milani, Shahriyar Bahrani, Mohammadreza Aslani, Javad Ardakani, Feraydoun Jayrani, Mohammad Dormanesh, Rasoul Sadr-Ameli, Javad Shamaqdari, Majid Majidi, Hossein Farrokhi, Ebrahim Hatamikiya, Mohammad-Ali Najafi, Kiyanoush Ayyari, Mohammad Nourizad and Alireza Ra'isian, expressed their views on various social, cultural and artistic issues, especially those related to the Iranian cinema.
In an address to the audience, the Leader expressed his pleasure over meeting a group of cinema directors, and he described the objective of the meeting as familiarity with the views of cinematic figures and commemorating the art of cinema and cinematic artists.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to cinema as a sublime, intricate and progressive art. Describing the art of cinema as a significant and essential art, he stated that there is a tangible need for the exaltation of cinema in the country.
"The great significance of this art and its effective and deeply influential role increase the heaviness of duties of all those who are somehow involved in cinema," he noted.
Elaborating on the heavy duties of cinematic figures, including cinema directors, the Leader stated, "The key to the country's progress lies to a considerable extent in the hands of cinematic artists. The reason is that, considering the influential role of this art, those who are involved in the lofty art of cinema are able to foster noble aspirations, eagerness to make progress, motivation, dynamism, self-confidence and adherence to Islamic and national values in society through their cinematic productions and thus play a great role in the country's progress and in the promotion of sublime values in society."
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that responsible criticism in cinematic productions aimed at rectifying weak and negative points is something quite acceptable. He added that the bitterness of this responsible criticism will be quite pleasant as long as it is meant to ameliorate and improve things.
The Leader also told the cinema directors that greater efforts should be made to boost religious and national values and portray the glorious epic created by the Iranian nation over the past 27 years, especially during the Sacred Defense era, through cinematic productions.
"A sense of religious and human responsibility is a major factor in portraying a realistic picture of society. Besides, if a cinema director presents a film which results in the deepening of faith and the promotion of social discipline and a sense of responsibility among individuals, he or she will also be remunerated by Almighty Allah," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic described a cinematic production as the manifestation of the insight and enlightenment of the director and other cinematic figures. He, however, criticized the relevant organizations for not making enough efforts to convey noble concepts and exalted notions to those involved in the art of cinema.
As regards the participation of Iranian films in international festivals, Ayatollah Khamenei told the cinema directors that the country's cultural interests should be viewed as the criteria with respect to the participation of films in international festivals.
The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Hossein Saffar-Harandi, also speaking at the meeting, said that the Iranian cinema directors are mainly characterized by their deep loyalty to their homeland. He also referred to the efforts that are being made by the government to support cinema and consolidate cinematic infrastructures.
"Among the priorities of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance are paying attention to the economy of cinema as well as its other aspects and promoting fictional literature as the basis of film scripts," Saffar-Harandi told the audience.
He added that efforts are also being made to raise the status of cinema in the country so that it may attain the special status envisioned by the country's 20-Year perspective Document.