Ovanes Ohanian - Biography

Biography

n 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 second Iranian silent film was haji agha mad in 1932,and first film Abi va Rabi (1931). 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 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.

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.

Ovanes Ohanian Young bright Armenian was born in 1896 in Armenia in Russia, he went to India in 1924 to form the first film school in India after facing many difficulties in 1930 went to Iran to form the first film acting and technical school in Tehran. Ovanece Ohanians

Professional biography

Published by the International Federation of Scientific Research Societies (Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe & America)

Academic Professor Dr. O. G. Ohanian (Mojdeh) D. Sc. (h.c.); D. C. Sc., M.D, Deputy President of the International Federation of Scientific Research Societies; Acting President of the International Motion Picture Institute Of Asia; member of the Committee of the International Academy of Sciences and Letters; member of the International Medical Research Institute of Asia; member of the Royal institute for Asian Society in London.

Academician Professor Dr. O. G Ohanian, D. C. Sc., (Academia Asiatica). D. Sc, M. D. (I. F. S. R. S.), India. M. R. C. A. S. (London). His activities in sciences and arts:

• Name: Ovanes
• Father's Name: Gregory
• Surname: Ohanian (Mojdeh is his literary pseudonym)
• Birth: October 8, 1896
• Place of Birth: Village Toog, Caucasia
• Subject: Iranian
• Cast: Armenian