TEHRAN – Renowned Iranian film director and screenwriter Nasser Taghvai died on Tuesday at the age of 84.
Mair’s wife, Marji Vafamer, shared the news on social media, describing him as an artist who has accepted the challenge of living freely, according to the report.
Tagvai directed six films, one television series, and several documentaries during his lifetime.
Born in the southwestern city of Abadan, Tagvai rose to fame in 1972 with the release of his first film, “Silence in the Presence of Others,” which vividly depicts the conflict between Iranian tradition and modernity.
His father was a customs official, so he visited Iran’s southern border area in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan province. Therefore, in many of his films, Tagvai has depicted the ethnography and atmosphere of southern Iran, where he grew up.
Taghvai was also interested in literature, and most of his other works are based on stories of Iranian or foreign authors.
Close cooperation with literary figures such as Gholamhossein Saedi is also noteworthy. Tagvai adapted “Silence in the Presence of Others” from Saidi’s story “Anxiety Without a Name.” They often traveled together in southern Iran, resulting in the documentary Wind of Jin and Saedi’s book People of the Air.
In 1986, Taghvai directed Captain Khurshid, an adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s The Haves and the Have Nots, which was filmed in southern Iran.
His satirical series “My Uncle Napoleon” depicts the decline of a former Imperial Army officer, haunted by doubt and unable to accept that his time has passed.
In 1999, he directed a part in the film Tales of Kish, which was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
His last officially released film was “Blank Paper,” which was released in 2001 after a 12-year hiatus. He also began work on the film Bitter Tea in 2003, set against the backdrop of the Iran-Iraq War. However, financial difficulties and lack of support prevented its completion.
Despite facing many obstacles, Taghvai made a lasting contribution to Iranian cinema. His documentaries such as Wind of Jin and Arbaeen are considered important works. Wind of Jinn, created in 1969 and narrated by Ahmad Shamlou, explores the rituals of Saar in southern Iran.
Tagvai won numerous national and international film awards, including the Bronze Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival in 1988 for Captain Colcid and the Silver Lion for Best First Film at the Venice Film Festival in 1972 for Silence in the Face of Others.
Last year, Tagvai was honored at the Captain of Cinema gala, demonstrating the lasting impact of his work. His innovative approach and commitment to artistic integrity have earned him recognition within the film community.
SS/SAB