CEO of Iran's House of Cinema Discusses Efforts for Independence from Government

The CEO of Iran's House of Cinema has stated that the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance's efforts aim to draft the 'House of Cinema's charter' in a way that 'everything remains under their control.' Marzieh Boroumand, the CEO of the non-governmental organization 'House of Cinema of Iran,' has reported ongoing efforts to establish a 'Cinema System Organization' and regarding the fate of the charter draft by a 'seven-member group,' she told ILNA news agency: the charter has undergone 'transformation' again; however, for now, we have 'small amendments to the charter' that have also been 'approved by the general assembly.' She pointed out the Ministry of Culture's attempts to influence the writing and content of the 'House of Cinema's charter,' stating in opposition to this action: 'We believe that the House of Cinema is a professional organization,' and we are striving for this professional organization to 'achieve independence.' The foundation of the House of Cinema of Iran as a professional body outside the government structure was established in 1989 with a 'call to cinematic professions, drafting the charter and internal regulations' by a number of artists 'selected by the Ministry of Culture' as the initial 'board of directors.' After nearly four years of unofficial activities of the House of Cinema and many sessions of its 'appointed board of directors' held in the government-run 'Farabi Cinematic Foundation,' the drafting and regulation of the charter was entrusted to a 'group of experts.' Ultimately, after 'launching and membership' of nearly 'twenty associations and guilds' in the House of Cinema, the groundwork for its 'official activity' was prepared, and accordingly, in October 1993, the 'official activity of the House of Cinema' began with its registration in the 'Tehran Companies and Non-Commercial Institutions Registration Office.' According to the website of this organization, during 'ten terms' of 'elected boards of directors,' the House of Cinema's charter has undergone 'structural changes' according to 'professional needs,' but in terms of nature, the charter has remained faithful to the 'initial goals.' The CEO of the House of Cinema of Iran emphasized that 'the House of Cinema is a professional organization,' adding: 'We are striving for this professional organization to achieve independence,' and we expect the 'Cinema Organization' to also define laws that can recognize this independent professional organization. The 'Cinema and Audiovisual Affairs Organization,' better known as the 'National Cinema Organization,' is a governmental body directly under the supervision of the 'Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance,' responsible for 'handling cinematic affairs and home entertainment networks' as the governmental custodian. Currently, the board of directors of the House of Cinema of Iran includes Ali Laghmani, Rasoul Sadr Ameli, Mohammad Mehdi Asgarpour, Masoud Amini Teyrani, Ali Dehkordi, Habib Ismaili, and Alireza Hosseini, with Marzieh Boroumand serving as CEO. On June 9, Marzieh Boroumand announced in a press conference with some representatives of domestic media, which Mohammad Mehdi Asgarpour, the head of the board of directors of this organization, also attended, that 'our major problem is job security,' and regarding the 'financial problems' of the House of Cinema, 'I have nightmares!' She stated that there is a 'difference of opinion' with the government-run Cinema Organization regarding the 'nature' of the House of Cinema, saying: 'We say we are a guild, but they [the managers of the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Culture] want us to be a cultural institution.' Currently, the House of Cinema of Iran consists of 32 'guilds' related to the art and industry of cinema in the country, which are registered with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare of the Islamic Republic.