Ovanes Ohanian

Ovanes Ohanian (, ; October 8, 1896 – September 1960) was an Iranian Armenian filmmaker, screenwriter, and educator. He also worked as a scientist, inventor, founder, and physician. Ohanian was the first filmmaker in Iran, and established the first film school in Iran in 1925. His film, Abi and Rabi was Iran's first feature-length movie. He used the name O.G. Ohanian, and the pseudonym Mojdeh.

Early life and education Ovanes Grigory Ohanian was born in 1896 in Mashhad, Qajar Iran, the son of Grigory. He was fluent in seven languages.

Ohanian was a graduate of the Faculty of Commerce in Tashkent (1919), Law in Ashgabat (1920), Moscow Film School (also known as the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography; 1925–1928), Doctor of Cinema (1932), Doctor of Science (1941), and Doctor of Medicine (1953). Ovanes directed and starred in the movie as the movie-directing suitor of Mr. Haji's daughter. The film was a reflexive construction about a traditionalist who is suspicious of cinema, but by the end of story recognizes the significance of film art. The film did not do well at the box office. Not only were there technical shortcomings, but additionally, the release of the first Persian talkie (produced in India) diminished its prospects for profit.

Late life and death After the failure of his second film, Ohanian could not find any support for further activities. He left Iran for India and continued his academic career in Calcutta. Subsequently he returned to Iran in 1947. He created the film White Rider (1954), which did not succeed. He also wrote a screenplay titled, The Coup of 1299 (1959), which he was unable to turn into a film.

He died from a heart attack in September 1961 in Tehran, in relative obscurity. He is buried at Doulab Cemetery in Tehran.

Filmography