Mini biography

Esmail Koushan (1917 - 1981 )

Producer | Director | Writer

A highly influential figure in Iranian cinema, during a long life Esmail Koushan was the photographer, director or producer of tens of films, and when old age confined him to the overall management of his studio, his sons faithfully followed in their father's footsteps.

In fact Koushan's brand of filmmaking was more or less accurately adopted by all commercial producers.

His film empire in Parsfilm, near Tehran, was pulled down a few years ago, but his spirit continues to dominate Iranian cinema.

Was Esmail Koushan ‘the father of Iranian cinema’? Did he father a monstrosity? Several decades after the career of this noted figure ended, these questions still have no clear answer.

History accords to Dr Koushan an indisputably important role in the development of the Iranian film industry. An appreciation of this fact, and of Koushan’s considerable efforts as pioneer and influence within the industry, has meant that his renown has endured regardless of the quality and value of his works from an aesthetic perspective. He deserves credit for his stubborn and combative efforts to ensure the development of a professional production process in every area of the industry; from this point of view, Koushan certainly has the right to be considered the father of Iranian cinema. --Nima Hassani-Nasab

Esmail Koushan is called "the father of Iranian cinema." Koushan can be considered one of the founders of the development of cinema in Iran.

He was born in Tehran. He got a doctorate in economics from Germany, but he also studied in the field of "public relations and cinema."

He started his artistic activity in Turkey in 1945 by dubbing films such as "Runaway Girl." The movie "Runaway Girl" is the first movie dubbed into Farsi. Esmail Koushan was the founder of dubbing art in Iran as well. In the previous decades, Iran was considered one of the leading countries in the region in dubbing art. A year later, he came to Iran and established "Mitra" studio and then "Pars Film" studio in 1951. The studio where he did his ongoing cinematic works. Koushan has also held positions such as "Chairman of the National Film Industry Union of Iran."

In the 50s, a magazine called "Alam-e Honar" was also published through him. He was the discoverer of great actors like "Mohammed Ali Fardin." One day, Fardin goes to the cinema to watch a movie, and the ticket office is closed, and he does not get a ticket. Koushan knew Fardin. He was the runner-up in world wrestling and Koushan invites him to the cinema. Then he offered Fardin to act in "The Fountain of Life," Thus, Fardin entered the cinema and influenced the Iranian cinema of the 60s and 70s with his lasting performances.

His family was also artistic. His brother Mahmoud was a director and cinematographer, and his two children, Dariush and Kourosh, became actors and directors, respectively. Koushan died in June 1981 in Tehran. --Source

Filmography

Director

1976 Shir Khofteh
1973 Jangjooyan-e koochooloo
1970 Ferhat ile Sirin
1969 Meliksah
1968 Ghoroube botparastan
1966 Amir Arsalan-e namdar
1966 Hossein Kord Shabestari
1964 Ebram dar Paris
1963 Doostat daram
1963 Ashkha va khandeha
1963 Ahrimane ziba
1962 Kolah makhmali
1962 Sayehe sarnevesht
1961 Dandane afie
1960 Enteghame rouh
1960 Shirforush
1958 Arouse farari
1952 Dozde eshqh
1952 Afsoongar
1951 Madar
1951 Masty Eshqh
1950 Sharmsar
1948 Zendani Amir

Director - Selected filmography

1. Joseph and Zuleika | Yusef va Zoleikha | Yusuf ile Züleyha (1968)
   
2. Ghoroube Botparastan (1968)
   
3. Amir Arsalan-e namdar (1966)
   
4. Tears and Laughs | Ashkha va Khandeha (1963)
   
5. Masty eshq (1951)
   
6. Ashamed | Sharmsar (1950)
   
7. The Prisoner of the Emir | Zendani Amir (1948)