The 1969 film The Cow acted as the primary catalyst for the Iranian New Wave, marking the emergence of a distinctive national cinema. Directed by Dariush Mehrjui, this production shifted the trajectory of film in Iran by favoring symbolic narratives over traditional commercial formulas. His career spanned decades as a screenwriter, translator, and director, bridging Eastern and Western literary traditions.
Early Development and Philosophy
Born in Tehran in 1939, Dariush Mehrjui developed an early aptitude for music and the arts. His initial exposure to international cinema through un-dubbed American films shaped his interests during his youth. In 1959, he relocated to the United States to attend the University of California, Los Angeles, where he studied under Jean Renoir. Although he initially enrolled in the Department of Cinema, he grew dissatisfied with the curriculum, eventually switching his major to philosophy and graduating in 1964. By 1965, he had returned to Tehran to pursue a career in journalism and screenwriting.
The Iranian New Wave
Mehrjui’s 1966 debut, Diamond 33, failed to find commercial success, but his subsequent project established his significance. Collaborating with Gholamhossein Sa'edi, he directed The Cow in 1969. The film, depicting a villager’s psychological breakdown following the death of his animal, was initially banned by the Ministry of Culture and Arts. Upon its eventual release and international screenings, including at the Venice Film Festival, it gained significant recognition. Together with works by Masoud Kimiai and Nasser Taqvai, it launched the Iranian New Wave.
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Following the success of The Cow, Mehrjui directed Agha-ye Hallou in 1970, a comedy designed to bypass previous censorship difficulties. Throughout his career, he frequently adapted foreign and Iranian literature for the screen, working alongside actors such as Ezzatolah Entezami and Ali Nassirian. His contributions to the arts were recognized through various honors, including the Golden Shell in 1993 and his appointment as a Knight of the Legion of Honour.
Final Years
A member of the Iranian Academy of the Arts, Mehrjui remained a figure of influence within the industry. On 14 October 2023, he and his wife, Vahideh Mohammadifar, were found stabbed to death at their residence in Karaj, near Tehran. He was 84 years old at the time of his death.
Fast facts
- Born: 1939, Tehran
- Died: 2023, Karaj
- Education: University of California, Los Angeles
- Key Film: The Cow (1969)
- Notable Award: Golden Shell (1993)
- Languages: English, Persian
Questions readers ask
What movement did Dariush Mehrjui help initiate?
He was a founding member of the Iranian New Wave in the early 1970s.
What did Mehrjui study at UCLA?
He initially studied cinema before switching his major to philosophy, graduating in 1964.
How did his career end?
He and his wife were found stabbed to death in their home in Karaj on 14 October 2023.
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