Mini biography

Director | Actor | Producer

Iraj Ghaderi (January 5, 1935 - May 6, 2012)

Iraj Ghaderi is an Iranian film director and actor. He was born in Tehran, Iran in 1935 and died in Tehran on 6 May 2012 at the age of 77 after a long battle with lung cancer.

He was one of the most prolific directors and actors of Iranian cinema.

Ghaderi's films were generally considered not seriously by critics, although they often had the ability to attract large audiences to movie theaters and send them home happy. 

Ghaderi left his Pharmacology studies at Teheran Univercity unfinished to pursue artistic endeavors. His first screen credit was the starring role in 1955 film "The Crossroad of Events", a film directed by Samuel Khachikian.

In 1962, he founded the Panorama Film Company with Moosa Afshar.

Then he turned to directing and made his first feature debut "Daghe Nang" (stigma) in 1965. Ahmad Shamlou, the great iranian poet, had also worked on the script.

The film was not successful and failed at the box office, due to Ghaderi's inexperience and Shamlou's lack of understanding of medium of cinema.

In 1990, despite the commercial failure of the first film, Ghaderi succeeded to play in the profitable film "Koocheye Mardha" (by Saeed Motallebi) and established his place in Iranian cinema.

Ghaderi, who is mostly known as a pre-revolution filmmaker, continued his filmmaking activity after the 1979 revolution with "Invasion" (Taraaj). 

In a decade (1984-1994), he was banned from making films and appearing in them until 1994 when the ban was lifted and he was granted the permit to produce and direct his comeback movie “Mikhaham Zende Bemanam” (I Want to Live) after a screenplay by Rasul Sadrameli based on the real life-story of Pedram Tajrishi.

With over 50 years in the film industry, Iraj Ghaderi had appeared in over 41 movies and acted in over 71 films, produced 9 and wrote the screenplay for 4 films.

He made his last film “Shabakeh” (Network) in 2010.
 

Ghaderi's filmography: (as director)

2010  Network - Shabakeh
2009  Pato zamin nazar
2007  The Trial
2005  Aquarium
2003  Cheshman siah
2001  Sam and Narges
2000  Fame
1998  Tootia
1997  Claws in the Dust
1996  Nabakhshoodeh
1994  Mikhaham zende bemanam
Taraj (1985)
1982  Barzakhiha - The imperilled
1982  Dada
1980  Baradarkoshi
1979  Hokm-e tir
1977  Do kalle-shagh
1977  Back and Dagger
1977  Sine-chak
1976  Awake in the city
1976  Bot
1976  Rafigh
1975  The Target
1975  The Desire
1974  The Cage
1973  Bi-gharar
1973  Unveiled
1972  Atash - Thirst
1971  Noghre-dagh
1970  Sekke-ye shans
1968  Basatrhaye jodagane
1968  Shahrahe zendegi

Director - Selected filmography

1. Black Eyes | Cheshman Siah (2003)
   
2. Fame | Shohrat (2000)
   
3. Sam & Narges (2000)
   
4. Totia (1998)
   
5. Unforgiven | Nabakhshoodeh (1996)
   
6. I Want to Live | Mikhaham zende bemanam (1995)
   
7. The Invasion | Taraj (1985)
   
8. The imperilled | Barzakhiha (1983)
   
9. The Idol | Bot (1976)
   
10. Desire | Havas (1975)
    
11. Bi-gharar (1973)