TMoCA Cinema will screen French documentary about Iran

Homayoun Asadian, Director General of the Iranian House of Cinema, met with Pierre Cosher, the French Ambassador to Tehran, during the 'Nouvelle Vague' session in Tehran. During this meeting, the possibility of expanding cultural cooperation and organizing joint film programs was discussed.

During the meeting on Wednesday, Asadian expressed his pleasure at the ambassador's visit to the headquarters of this professional institution, which organizes various cultural events. He mentioned that everyone is familiar with the French New Wave, including directors such as Godard and Truffaut, as well as works like 'Breathless.'

Referring to the historical significance of the French New Wave, Asadian emphasized that it is one of the peaks of cinematic history and an influential movement in world cinema. He stated that holding programs like 'Dialogism' and studying materials about the French New Wave helps to increase cinematic knowledge and strengthen cultural ties between nations.

He presented the structure and responsibilities of the institution, explaining that the Iranian House of Cinema oversees 33 professional guilds, managing guild-related affairs and insurance matters for their members. In addition to professional activities, the institution organizes diverse cultural events. Weekly documentary screenings are held, and the Screenwriters Guild organizes script analysis programs. Furthermore, as part of social responsibility, various events are held, such as a performance dedicated to the Minab school tragedy earlier this year.

Commenting on the differences between American and European cinema regarding narrative and character development, Asadian added that American cinema usually depicts the world in a binary opposition of good and evil and rarely delves into the grey areas of character and situation. Conversely, in European cinema, the boundaries between good and evil are not clearly defined.

He also spoke about the history of French filmmakers in Iran, noting that Albert Lamorisse directed the documentary 'Wind of Lovers' in Iran before tragically passing away due to an incident in the country.

Speaking about the state of Iranian cinema, Asadian noted that last year's outbreak of war led to some decline in Iranian cinema. In the current situation, which is neither war nor peace, investing in any activity, including cinema, faces difficulties. Nevertheless, screening conditions have improved, and some films have achieved good box office returns. In times like these, it is crucial to gather and engage in dialogue, and this should be a priority.

Asadian concluded his presentation by mentioning his studies at the Institute of Intellectual Development of Children and Youth (Kanun), where the study and viewing of works by directors such as Jacques Tati and Robert Bresson were always central themes.

Following this, Pierre Cosher stated that the French Embassy is ready to cooperate with the Iranian House of Cinema in implementing cultural programs. He suggested that if opportunities arise, they could organize programs virtually in collaboration with French experts. The ambassador expressed hope for creating a structure that allows civil society organizations to expand their cultural connections.

Reflecting on his experience in Iran, the ambassador added that about thirty years ago, during the presidency of Hashemi Rafsanjani, he worked at the French Embassy in Iran and holds warm memories of that era. He noted that he returned to Iran a year and a half ago.

Regarding the state of Iranian cinema, Cosher observed that Iranian cinema is well known in France. He and France share similarities in supporting independent cinema, as both countries follow somewhat similar systems.

Mentioning France's support for independent films, the ambassador noted that the French film industry resists 'American influence.' There is also a union across Europe dedicated to supporting independent European cinema. Independent cinema holds a special place in Europe, and figures like Woody Allen have also succeeded there.

Finally, mentioning the importance of performing arts in Iran, Cosher said that theater also has a significant presence in Iran, and people show great interest in this art form.

In the concluding part of the meeting, Bahman Namvar Motlagh, a scholar and professor, commented on the status of French cinema, stating that it possesses a unique character. The central theme of the programs they organize is 'Dialogism,' and they intend to spread this approach into Iranian cinema.

The third session of the 'Dialogism in World Cinema' cycle, dedicated to the French New Wave, took place at the Iranian House of Cinema in Tehran. Attendees included Ruhollah Hosseini, Deputy for Technological Development and Cinematographic Studies of the Film Organization, and Farzad Motamen, a film director.

At the beginning of the session, Maysam Yazdi, the program's scientific secretary, announced that the third program of the 'Dialogism in World Cinema' cycle, organized jointly with the Iranian Association for Comparative Studies of Art and Literature, was dedicated to the French New Wave.

Referencing Richard Linklater's film 'New Wave,' she added that this work by the American filmmaker was one of the notable entries at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025. This film provides an opportunity for dialogue between American and French cinema.

During the session, excerpts from Richard Linklater's film 'New Wave' were shown to the attendees. Maysam Yazdi, emphasizing the educational value of Linklater's 'New Wave,' noted that this film is a textbook with many nuances and details that can be useful to film students. She also mentioned that Jean-Luc Godard passed away in September 2022, and Linklater's film is a frame-by-frame reconstruction of segments from Godard's 'Breathless.'

Farzad Motamen, discussing the production costs and conditions of making 'Breathless,' reported that the film was shot with a budget of 400,000 francs, equivalent to $80,000. Given current exchange rates, this amount would be approximately $876,000 today—which is not a very large sum for film production. The film was shot in just 22 days. As François Truffaut once said, 'Breathless' divided cinema into 'before' and 'after.'

Later in the session, Ruhollah Hosseini discussed the stylistic features of the French New Wave, stating that it is usually recognizable by characteristics such as handheld street shooting, low production costs, improvised or semi-improvised dialogue, jump cuts, and similar elements. However, the New Wave absorbed these stylistic traits through a series of dialogues with various other fields. Essentially, these stylistic characteristics are the result of the 'dialogism' form.

The Tehran Museum of Modern Art (TMoCA) will present an exhibition titled 'In Search of Iran: From the Collection of the Tehran Museum of Modern Art,' which opens on Saturday afternoon. According to Mehr, the exposition analyzes how the concept of 'Iran' is presented and understood through the lens of works by various artists held in TMoCA.

The exhibition touches upon the national significance of the TMoCA collection in the history of modern Iranian art, examining the diverse ways in which artists experience and interpret 'Iran.' A statement for the exhibition reads: 'We are not asking which work is more Iranian; rather, we are asking how Iran has served as an object of vision and representation, and how it persists in modes of seeing and creation. The exploration of Iranian identity in this exhibition begins with the unique experience of the artists—an experience that is sometimes explicitly the subject of the work, and sometimes manifests in the style of expression and construction. Belonging to Iran can be accompanied by memories of place, daily life, migration, or a sense of loss, taking various forms in each artist's work.'

'The 'In Search of Iran' exhibition invites the viewer to reconsider their own perception of Iran when encountering these works. In these pieces, the soil sometimes becomes the material of the work itself, writing transforms into a mode of seeing, and objects retain traces of life and human memory. The presence of familiar symbols does not predetermine the meaning of the work, just as their absence does not necessarily imply a detachment from the Iranian experience.'

The exposition is divided into seven sections, each curated around a specific question, offering the viewer parallel paths for interpreting the artworks. These paths do not follow the chronological sequence of art history; instead, visual and conceptual connections between the works allow for exposure to different interpretations. From this perspective, no single landscape, face, or motif serves as the sole representative of the Iranian experience.

More than one hundred pieces from the collection of modern Iranian art will be featured in the exhibition, including works by artists such as Sohrab Sepehri, Parviz Tanavoli, Parviz Kalantari, Hossein Zenderoudi, Farah Osuli, Reza Maafi, Mohammad Ehsaei, Bahman Mohasses, and others. The exhibition will be open to the public from Sunday until mid-December.

Founded in 1977, the museum houses over 4000 exhibits, including world-class Iranian, European, and American paintings, engravings, drawings, and sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries. As the largest collection of Western art in the East, it encompasses works from almost all artistic periods and movements.

The museum was designed by Iranian architect Kamran Dibay, who incorporated elements of traditional Persian architecture. The building itself can be seen as an example of contemporary art in the style of the underground Guggenheim museum. Most of the museum grounds are underground, featuring a circular path descending below and galleries branching outwards. In the museum gardens, Western sculptures by artists such as Ernst, Giacometti, Magritte, and Moore can be found.

The 20th International Exhibition of Iranian Mining, Construction Equipment, and Related Industries (IRAN CONMINE 2026) opened in Tehran. The event began on Wednesday with the participation of Mohammad Reza Bahramian, Chairman of the Iranian Mining House, Kasra Nouri, CEO of the Iranian International Exhibition Company, as well as ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia, a representative from the Russian embassy, members of the Iranian Chamber of Directors, and industry specialists.

During the ceremony, Mohammad Reza Bahramian emphasized that this exhibition is a crucial event for the country's mining sector and plays a significant role in achieving the state's economic goals. He noted that IRAN CONMINE serves as a platform for exchanging experience between domestic and foreign figures, developing international cooperation, and seeking new investment opportunities in mineral extraction.

The Chairman of the Iranian Mining House announced that under the Seventh Development Plan, the mining sector is projected to grow by 13 percent. This year's exhibition will focus primarily on finding practical solutions to achieve this goal and removing obstacles to the industry's development. Bahramian also announced an approximate 30 percent increase in the number of exhibitors compared to the previous edition, noting that through planning and optimal management of the exhibition space, it was possible to attract more companies and specialists covering the entire value chain in the mining industry—from exploration and extraction to processing.

Highlighting the international nature of the event, Bahramian stated that representatives from 36 countries will participate in this edition, and the presence of ambassadors and foreign economists will help strengthen international ties and expand cooperation in the mining industry. He also drew attention to the difficulties associated with sanctions, noting that overcoming these conditions requires realistic solutions and political stability, as well as attention to the sector's real and potential capacity.

According to an IRNA report, the 20th International Mining Exhibition of Iran took place over four days at the permanent site of the Tehran International Exhibition, with the participation of 128 domestic and foreign companies. Foreign participants included representatives from China, Japan, and India. IRAN CONMINE functions as a specialized event for the mining industry, showcasing equipment, machinery, products, and services related to mineral extraction.

At the beginning of September, the CEO of the Mining Investment Insurance Fund reported that the fund supports 960 private mines, and 2,815 mining machines have been allocated for procurement and modernization. Ali Khatibi explained in an exclusive interview with IRNA that most operating mines are in the hands of the private sector. Of the total 6,451 operating mines, 6,005 belong to this sector, and the fund has already provided support to 960 mines by issuing credit insurance policies. The purpose of this support is not only to provide financial resources but also to reduce investment risks, which allows mines to be equipped, production capacities to be increased, and production continuity to be guaranteed.

The CEO of the Fund also pointed out exploration as one of the riskiest stages of mining activities. The Fund has insured 1,141 exploration zones, and in the Iranian year 1404 (starting March 2025), 33 exploration investment policies were issued, under which over 65,000 hectares of covered areas entered the exploration phase. Khatibi added that reducing exploration risk enables investors to conduct operations such as drilling and trenching with greater confidence, increasing the probability of discovering and developing new reserves. The Fund also focuses on supporting deep drilling, especially operations at depths exceeding 1,000 meters.

Another area of the Fund's support is equipment modernization. Furthermore, at the end of July, a representative from the Ministry of Industry, Mining, and Trade announced the reactivation of 1,200 inactive mines in the country. A basis was laid for broader private sector participation in the mining industry by delegating some headquarters powers to provinces, streamlining administrative procedures, and offering investment packages.

Ezzatollah Zarei noted in an interview with IRNA that state financial resources alone cannot meet the sector's needs. Therefore, it is necessary to create economic attractiveness and pool resources to attract the private sector to exploration and exploitation of deposits. He emphasized that developing private investment benefits both economic entities and government interests, as mine operation generates revenues such as state royalties, ownership rights, and taxes.

Zarei also stated that the mining industry, alongside the oil industry, can play a significant role in the country's economy. He clarified that the mining industry cannot completely replace oil but has the potential to occupy a larger, or even larger, share in the economy and revenue generation alongside oil. The representative of the Ministry of Industry, Mining, and Trade, citing the goals of the Development Program Law, stated that the mining sector's growth should reach 13.5 percent by the end of the period. Measures have been initiated to achieve this goal, including mine activation, infrastructure development, and simplifying the investment process. Specifically, 1,200 inactive mines have been reactivated, and some powers related to mining areas, inactive mines, and permit transfers have been delegated to provinces to accelerate decision-making.