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| The original poster in Russian |
A Soviet production by the Armenian director Hamo Beiknazarian, Khaspush dramatises the Tobacco Revolt of 1890 in which an influential clergyman issued fatwa and banned the use of Tabaco after a Qajar king offered tobacco concession to the United Kingdom.
Due to Reza Shah's suspicion of a foreign representation of Iran film crews could hardly obtain permission to shoot in Iran so some of the Iranian stories, especially those involving the revolt against imperialism or religion, were actually filmed in neighbouring Soviet Union. The film grandly combines Soviet notion of collective heroism (by picking a rag-wearing man and turning it into a hero) with a sharp understanding of Iranian politics. There is a good degree of authenticity here, as well as a prophetic distrust of the religious leadership. – Ehsan Khoshbakht
Khaspush. 1928. USSR. Directed by Hamo Beiknazarian. 35mm. Silent. Russian intertitles.
Ehsan its shameful that you write this, it had nothing to do with Reza Shah etc. Arby
ReplyDeleteObviously not this film, but the absence of foreign films shot in Iran and the strict rules set for foreign cameramen had something to do with Reza Shah. Compared to all the neighboring countries, there are fewer images of Iran existing on film because there was a strong suspicion of cinema made by westerners in and about Iran.
DeleteFinally, "shameful" is a strong word and I wish you refrain from sounding like an ayatollah.
You are more than welcome to write your own piece on the film which I will publish below my text. That is if your use of language is not offensive. Just stick to the facts, please.
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