Sudden Change in Iranian Cinematic Management

With less than two weeks remaining until the end of the current solar year, the change of the head of the Iranian Cinema Organization was unexpected for many. Since the appointment of Reza Salehi Amiri as the successor to Ali Jannati in the Ministry of Culture, it was said that he likely intended to change the cinema leadership in Iran. However, the change of Houjatollah Ayubi, especially after a controversial festival and his heated discussion on the television program 'Haft' with Behrouz Afkhami, confirms the views of critics who argued that the main cinema official in Iran needed to be changed. The dismissal of Houjatollah Ayubi shortly after the Fajr Film Festival and with only a few months left in Hassan Rouhani's first government indicates a serious disagreement between Reza Salehi Amiri and his deputy responsible for cinema affairs. Ali-Asghar Ramadanpour, the former cultural deputy of the Ministry of Culture, believes that the manner of Ayubi's dismissal reflects pressures on the Minister of Culture: 'The Minister of Culture has shown a speed in changing the head of the Cinema Organization that may result from pressure or requests from certain places. In a natural situation, it does not seem logical for the Minister to make this change right after a debate, or rather a quarrel, between his deputy and a host on state television, and immediately after criticisms were raised regarding the festival's organization. Therefore, my inference is that Mr. Salehi Amiri is under some pressure from certain officials, which led him to act so quickly regarding Mr. Ayubi's change.' After the rise of Hassan Rouhani's government, Houjatollah Ayubi replaced Javad Shamghadri in the management of Iranian cinema. One of his most important actions in the early months of his tenure was the reopening of the House of Cinema, the professional organization of Iranian filmmakers. Other initiatives included the establishment of the National School of Cinema and the implementation of the Art and Experience group to screen different and non-mainstream films. He was also a strong advocate for separating the international section from the domestic section of the Fajr Film Festival, attempting to give this event a different identity by changing the timing and adding a global title to the international section. However, the most significant challenges Ayubi faced were related to screening films with sensitive themes. During his tenure, films such as 'I Am Not Angry', 'Resurrection', 'Daughter's House', 'Parinaz', and 'Father's House', despite having screening permits, were prevented from public release due to pressures outside the Ministry of Culture. Additionally, films like 'Lovely Trash' and 'Devotee, Nazanin, Bahareh, Tina' did not receive screening permits at all and were effectively banned. The Art House of the Islamic Propagation Organization also insisted on a policy remaining from Javad Shamghadri's era, refusing to show certain films in its cinemas. Ali-Asghar Ramadanpour assesses Ayubi's record: 'Mr. Ayubi stood more firmly on his policies than other cinema managers in recent years. He established a relatively good relationship with cinema institutions and tried to pursue an independent policy. However, one can criticize him from a managerial perspective for not being able to gain the support of all factions in some cases to advance his policies, which created tensions that were not beneficial for advancing his programs. Overall, we can say that Mr. Ayubi's record shows one of the best cinematic periods in recent years. In cases where the screening of certain films was banned, the main action did not come from the cinema department. Therefore, it can be accepted that Mr. Salehi Amiri has somewhat rushed in this change that could have naturally occurred three or four months later.' Mohammad Mehdi Heydarian, appointed as Ayubi's successor, is an old figure in Iranian cinema management. He was associated with Fakhruddin Anvar and Mohammad Beheshti, managers of the 1980s Iranian cinema, and previously held the cinematic management position in Mohammad Khatami's second cabinet. During Ali Larijani's management of the official Iranian television, he held responsibilities such as managing Sima Film. After being appointed as Minister of Culture, Reza Salehi Amiri appointed Heydarian as his advisor, indicating that he was among the candidates for cinema management. Ali Asghar Ramadanpour points out that given Heydarian's managerial background, a more conservative era is likely awaiting Iranian cinema: 'Mr. Heydarian is an experienced manager. He knows various fields of cinema and culture, and therefore he might be able to somewhat resolve the situation that the minister feels is critical for the Cinema Organization. However, there has always been ambiguity regarding Heydarian's policies, as he has always had a close relationship with supervisory and security institutions, particularly the Ministry of Intelligence regarding the control of cinema institutions. Therefore, it is not expected that Mr. Heydarian will move towards opening up the cinema space and likely, as is the overall policy of Mr. Salehi Amiri, will proceed towards a more conservative policy in cinema.' The changes in Iranian cinema management occurred while Iranian cinema had a successful year in terms of film sales.