Iranian Filmmaker Receives France’s Chevalier of Legion of Honor

Iranian prominent director and filmmaker Dariush Mehrjui received the France’s Chevalier of Legion of Honor during a ceremony held at the Embassy of France in Tehran on November 9.

The medal, called “Ordre des Arts et des Lettres”, was awarded to Mehrjui by French Ambassador Bruno Foucher during a ceremony at his residence in Tehran.

According to media reports, some Iranian cineastes including Asghar Farhadi, Ali Mosaffa, Leila Hatami, Dariush Shayegan, Bita Farahi, Hamed Behdad and Reza Dormishian attended the ceremony.

“The recent screening of my movie ‘Cow’ in France, has had a great influence on introducing Iranian cinema in that country.” said Iranain director after receiving the honor.

Born in 1939 in Tehran, Mehrjuii is known outside of the country as one of Iran’s new wave directors.

As a director, screenwriter, producer, and film editor, Mehrjui has received over 50 national and international awards.
He not only established modern Iranian cinema but he also introduced realism, symbolism and the sensibilities of art cinema. Mehrjui is viewed among the intellectual directors of Iranian cinema.

Most of his works are inspired by literature and adapted from Iranian and international novels and plays.
He directed his debut film in 1966 with “Diamond 33”. His second film “The Cow” (1969) won the International Critics Prize of the Venice Film Festival in 1971. It was the first award the Iranian motion picture industry ever received in an international event.

Mehrjuii’s “The Cycle”, which was about illegal blood deals, was Iran’s first submission to the Academy Awards in 1978.

After several movies on various subjects, Mehrjuii’s films began to spotlight women’s issues. The first was “Hamun” (1990), which was about Hamid Hamun and his wife Mahshid who is leaving him. The film was highly acclaimed by critics during the 1990s.

“Pari”, “Sara”, “Leila”, “Mom’s Guest” and “The Tenants” are among his notable credits.

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