Ovanes Ohanian (October 1896 - 1960) was an Armenian-Iranian father of Helen Ohaniance, Orod Ohanians and Paul Ohanians.

He was a filmmaker, inventor, founder, doctor, scientist with PhD in medicine, film, science and languages.

He established the first film school in the history of Iran. His first film, Abi and Rabi (1930) was Iran's first feature length movie.

He founded the first acting school in Iran and the first acting school in India together with the first police school in Iran. He was fluent in 7 languages.

Ovanes Ohanian was assassinated in his office in Tehran. The museum in Tehran contains relevant information of his life. --Wikipedia

In 1925 a young Armenian-Iranian, Ovanes Ohanian (Oganianse), who studied film in Cinema Akademi Of Moscow, returned to Iran. His goal was to establish a film industry in the country.

Since he found it impossible to initiate any production without professionals in the field, Ohanian decided to begin a film school in Tehran.

Within five years he managed to run the first session of the school under the name: “Parvareshgahe Artistiye cinema” (The Cinema Artist Educational Centre). Acting and performance, rather than film production, were the cornerstones of the institution.

After five months, with a few of his graduates and the financial help of a theatre owner, Ohanian directed his first Iranian film, Abi va Rabi (1930). The film, lensed by Mo’tazedi, was shot silent on 35mm black and white stock and ran 1,400 meters long.

As Ghafari states: “This film was patterned directly after the comic acts of the Danish cinema couple Pat and Paterson. Iranians had seen [films of] this couple many times in the cinemas and liked them.”

Abi va Rabi was received well by critics and the public. Unfortunately the only copy of the film burnt to ashes two years after its release in a fire accident in cinema Mayak, one of the first theatres in Tehran.

By the end of the school’s second session, Ohanian started his next project, another comedy entitled Haji Agha actore cinema (1933).

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.

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, where he died seven years later. --IMDb

His political views

Oganians was not interested in politics which in his opinion produces often results without reasons.

Still his opinion wss that:

(a) You can create but no right to kill
(b) Instead of the motto 'Divide and Rule' the world of today needs 'Unite and Exist'
(c) Every nation has the right to be free and independent no matter to which colour, cast or religion they belong.

Misfortune of the world is due to concentration of wealth to a few juridical and individual hands. --Wikipedia

Filmography

1930  ABI VA RABI (Director)
1933  HAJI AGHA AKTOR-E CINEMA - Haji Agha, the movie actor (Director)