Haji Agha, the Cinema Actor

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Haji Agha, the Cinema Actor is a 1933 Iranian comedy film directed by Ovannes Ohanian. It’s one of Iran’s few remaining silent films and was Ohanian’s second film in Iran after Abi and Rabi (1930). The story shows the clash between tradition and modernity in early 1930s Iran. It didn’t do well at the box office because of technical problems and because it released at the same time as Iran’s first talkie, Dokhtar-e Lor.

Plot: A film director looks for a subject for his movie and is told to film Haji Agha, a wealthy conservative man. Haji’s daughter, his son-in-law, and his servant help the director stage events so he can film Haji in action. When the director finishes, Haji watches the film, sees his own image, and becomes fascinated by cinema.

Cast and production: The lead role was played by an Armenian actress. The film stars Habibollah Morad, Asia Qostanian, Zema Ohanians, and Abbas Khan Tahbaz. It was written and directed by Ohanian, produced by Ohanian with Habibollah Morad Maghasedzadeh Foroozin, with cinematography by Paolo Potomkin and Ebrahim Moradi, and edited by Ohanian. Produced by Pers Film. Shooting began in June 1932 using an old Pathe camera. Release date was 1933, running 75 minutes. Country: Iran. Language: silent.