🔗 Share this article Persian Cinema Giant, Beyzai, Dies At the Age of 87 Bahram Beyzai (left) with his wife, actress Mozhdeh Shamsai Profound tributes have been shared for Bahram Beyzai, a giant of Iranian cinema and theatre, who has died at the age of 87 while residing in the United States. Homeland in Mourning The front pages of Iranian newspapers lament his loss, with opposition voices and those who reflect nostalgically on the Shah era also offering their respects to Beyzai. "His passing is an immense tragedy for the art and culture of our country," remarked Prince Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah of Iran. Although Beyzai's subsequent works were banned in the 1980s by the theocratic government, a host of prominent officials in the present administration have also paid tribute his legacy to Iranian culture. The Teacher of a Generation Many of the current crop of Iranian filmmakers have acknowledged their debt to him. Jaafar Panahi noted that Beyzai showed them "how to stand up to oblivion." Beyzai avoided overtly political content in his work, both as a dramatist and a cinematic auteur, and always said he tried not to trade in explicit commentary. But his oeuvre over countless years sets historical, even mythic figures in conflict with authoritarian religious and political systems. A Cultural Foundation From a family of renowned poets, Beyzai was imbued in the richest heritage of Iranian artistry from birth. He first rose to prominence as a playwright, inspired by ancient myths and ceremonies. A lifelong fan of cinema, he moved into making films in the 1970s. He gained acclaim as one of the key figures in the new wave of Iranian cinema. An Enduring Voice His most fruitful era spanned the time of the Shah and then the Islamic theocratic forces that deposed him—with both systems constantly poised to detect subtext that could be interpreted as criticism. "Beyzai never opted for the path of least resistance. He withstood years of marginalization, imposed silence, and exile, but he did not give up his language and his convictions," said the filmmaker in his tribute. The Little Stranger A few years after the Iranian Revolution, he produced what many regard as his masterpiece, Bashu, the Little Stranger, about a young child who tries to find shelter from the Iran-Iraq war. It was banned in Iran—as were subsequent works he made in that period—but later chosen by critics as the greatest Iranian film of all time. The film was screened in a newly remastered print at this year's Venice Film Festival, winning an award for best film in the classics section. Final Years in Exile Beyzai ultimately departed Iran in 2010 and lived out his final days in the US, where he lectured on Iranian culture. Although he left his homeland, his wife, the actress Shamsai, said just the sound of the word "Iran" would still bring tears to his eyes—and he continued to hope for a renewed spirit and future for his native land.