Synopsis

Ardeshir Mohasses (1938-2008) was Iran's foremost political cartoonist, satirist, painter and illustrator.

Drawing upon his intimate knowledge of Iran's culture, history, and sociopolitical situation, Ardeshir attracted the attention not only of the intellectuals, poets and writers of Iran of the time but also the international community.



Filmmaker Bahman Maghsoudlou seeks to portray the beauty of Ardeshir's purpose and power in crafting his art to convey the plight of the oppressed, and his universal sense of justice and tyranny, expressed through a satirical visual history of Iran since the Qajar era.

Interviews with prominent critics and friends are arranged to depict the nuances of Ardeshir's life: his time and career in Iran, his art and passion later in the United States, sources of his brilliant inspiration, his private reclusive moments, and his progressive political and social outlook.



Ardeshir's various artistic endeavors are comprehensively covered, and viewers will see samples of his political cartoons, visual commentaries, and works for the New York Times along with his avant-garde style.

This feature documentary admiringly displays the depth of Ardeshir's observations and his extraordinary free spirit. --IFVC

Cast: Reza Baraheni, Ramsey Clark, Mohammad Ali Dowlatshahi, Esmail Khoi, Behrooz Moazami, Javad Mojabi, Nicky Nodjoumi, Shirin Neshat, Nasser Pakdaman, Bahram Rahmani, Majid Roshangar, Peter Scarlet, Abbas Towfigh, Ehsan Yarshater



Writer/Director/Producer: Bahman Maghsoudlou
Editor: Ghasem Ebrahimian, Tiffany Peckosh
Camera: Steven Gladstone, Pierre Khoobyar, Mary Latvis, Bahman Maghsoudlou, Mahdi H Nejad, Mahmoud Oskoui, Erik Shirai, Manouchehr Tabari
Still: Reza Deghati
Poster: Massoud Mansouri
Executive Producer: Bijan Maghsoudlou, Behzad Maghsoudlou, Bahman Maghsoudlou, Ardeshir Mohasses Trust
Iran/USA, Color & B/W, 60 Minutes, 2012
An IFVC Production