The State of Cinema in Iran, 1933

Only 6 cinemas in Iran could show sound films in 1933

From The 1934 Film Daily Year Book, a report on the state of cinema in Persia AKA Iran.



Agitation: None.

Censorship: Active and strict censorship of all films to be shown in Persia is maintained by the Amusement Section of the Imperial Police. All films are shown before a board of Police Officers at whose discretion the entire film or parts of it may be rejected. The following scenes are usually barred from films to be shown in Persia:
(a) Any scenes reflecting directly or indirectly on Shah.
(b) Scenes containing political propaganda.
(c) Scenes depicting the horrors of war, suggesting pacifism, or inciting to revolution.
(d) Scenes thought to be detrimental to public morals.

Competition: German films predominate in the Persian motion picture theaters, while French, American, English and Soviet follow in the order named.

Copyright Relations: There is no provision under Persian law granting the exclusive right to exhibit a motion picture film. Pirated films and in some instances two copies of the same film have been imported, followed by a futile appeal to the Police for protection. A civil suit now being conducted by an American company against an importer of pirated films may be of assistance in establishing a helpful precedent.

Production: One film has been produced locally.

Taxes: A tax of 10% is usually collected on tickets. There is an import duty of 5% ad valorem on films purchased, and a duty of 5% of the rental fee on films leased for showing in Persia.

Theaters: There are, it is reported, 30 motion picture theaters in Persia, of which 12 are in Teheran.

Sound: There are 6 theaters in Persia wired for sound.