During his three-day official visit to Baghdad, the Director of Iran's Cinema Organization (ICO), Mohammad Khazaei, met with Hassan Nazem, the Iraqi Minister of Culture and Tourism, to discuss bilateral cinematic collaborations.
According to the Public Relations Department of ICO, the meeting took place on the evening of the first day of Khazaei's visit. Nazem referred to his trip to Tehran and his meeting with Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili, the Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, as memorable and exceptional. He expressed his gratitude that the recent visit of the Iraqi delegation to Tehran was not merely ceremonial but resulted in agreements on various programs, some of which are now coming to fruition with the presence of the Iranian delegation in Baghdad.
Nazem highlighted the successful hosting of the Iranian Film Week in Baghdad, which was well-received by experts and the global community. He also emphasized the potential for effective collaboration between Iran and Iraq in filmmaking, particularly in producing a joint film against Daesh terrorist group with the participation of Iranian and Iraqi talents.
The Iraqi Minister stated, "It is predicted that with Iran's cooperation, we will produce a joint film against Daesh, documenting the stage of resistance against this terrorist group, free from historical distortions." He expressed hope that the project would commence during the film week itself.
Nazem praised Iranian cinema and emphasized that the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries would facilitate the exchange of services and experiences between Iranian and Iraqi filmmakers. He added that there are numerous shared topics between the two nations that could foster greater closeness and friendship, and cinema has the power to keep those memories alive.
ICO Director, Khazaei, echoed similar sentiments, stating, "Due to the many commonalities between the Iranian and Iraqi nations, good grounds for cooperation and interaction are taking shape, as witnessed during the Iranian Film Week in the heart of Baghdad." He emphasized the importance of expanding mutual understanding and developing collaborative structures, particularly in the areas of festival participation, joint productions, educational services, and the exchange of professionals and cinematic content.
Khazaei highlighted the potential for film education in Iraq, drawing on the successful model of the Iranian Youth Cinema Society. He offered Iran's readiness to host young Iraqi filmmakers for training, calling it "an appropriate model for qualitative education in cinema on a large scale."
The ICO Director welcomed joint productions on themes such as resistance against Daesh, the Arbaeen march, the Ghadir-Khom celebration, and the story of Salman Farsi, among others. He noted the significant growth of Iranian cinema post-revolution, both industrially and culturally, and envisioned a vibrant market for film distribution through collaboration with Iraq, adding, "Cinema is at the forefront of today's media battles."
Accompanying Khazaei in the meeting were Hossein Darabi, the director of the film "Honas," and Shohreh Pirani, the wife of martyred Iranian nuclear scientist Dariush Rezaeenejad, who was assassinated in 2011.