🔗 Share this article Iranian Cinema Titan, Beyzai, Dies At the Age of 87 Beyzai pictured alongside his spouse, the actress Mozhdeh Shamsai Profound tributes have been shared for Bahram Beyzai, a giant of Persian film and stage, who passed away aged 87 in the US. Homeland in Mourning The headlines of publications in Iran mourn his loss, with dissenting figures and those who look back fondly on the pre-revolution period also offering their respects to Beyzai. "This loss is a great loss for the art and culture of our country," remarked the exiled prince, son of the last Shah of Iran. Even though Beyzai's subsequent works were banned in the 1980s by the theocratic government, a number of senior figures in the current government have also paid tribute his contribution to Persian arts. A Mentor to Filmmakers Many of the current crop of Persian directors have expressed their gratitude to him. Award-winning director Jaafar Panahi noted that Beyzai taught them "the way to resist oblivion." Beyzai avoided direct political references in his work, both as a playwright and a film director, and always maintained he tried not to deal in explicit commentary. But his oeuvre over countless years sets historical, even mythic figures in conflict with oppressive religious and political systems. Roots in Tradition Hailing from a lineage of renowned poets, Beyzai was imbued in the deepest traditions of Iranian artistry from birth. He first rose to prominence as a theater writer, inspired by Persian legend and ritual. A lifelong fan of cinema, he moved into making films in the 1970s. He won renown as one of the pivotal artists in the new wave of Iranian cinema. An Enduring Voice His most fruitful era straddled the time of the Shah and then the Islamic theocratic forces that overthrew him—with both systems ever ready to detect subtext that could be seen as criticism. "Beyzai did not choose the easy way. He endured years of exclusion, enforced quiet, and exile, but he never abandoned his language and his beliefs," said the filmmaker in his tribute. A Masterpiece Amidst Conflict A few years after the Iranian Revolution, he produced what many regard as his masterpiece, Bashu, the Little Stranger, about a small boy who tries to find shelter from the devastating conflict. It was censored in Iran—as were other films he made in that time—but later chosen by film critics as the greatest Iranian film of all time. The film was shown in a restored version at this year's Venice Biennale, receiving an award for outstanding feature in the heritage category. A Hopeful Exile Beyzai finally left Iran in 2010 and spent his later years in the US, where he lectured on Persian studies. Although he went into exile, his wife, the actress Mozhdeh Shamsai, said just the sound of the word "Iran" would still bring tears to his eyes—and he continued to hope for a new culture and tomorrow for his native land.