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Bagh-e Ferdows Film Museum Of Iran Shemiran-Tehran. Photo Source

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Cinema Museum of Iran

Film technology in Iran was introduced by Mirza Ebrahim Khan Akkas, the King’s photographer in the 19^th century. Throughout the years, Iran’s film industry has gone through significant changes and evolution.

The country received worldwide recognition in the film industry during the post-Islamic revolution which was celebrated for its unique themes, authors and cultural references. Iran became keen on preserving the history of the film industry hence the creation of the Cinema Museum.

The Cinema Museum, also known as Bagh Ferdows, was opened in 1998 at Pirnia Valley and later on moved to its current location on Valiser Street in 2002. It holds a sense of pride for Iran and is a wholesome preservation gallery for Iranian pre and post-revolutionary films.

The building that hosts the Cinema Museum is a three-floor Qajar-style mansion that was constructed in the 19^th century. On top of that, the complex has a beautifully landscaped garden known as the Ferdow’s Garden. The 20,000 square-meter garden, which was put up in the 1900s, adds a touch of greenery and natural element to the complex.

The Museum has several halls and exhibitions spread out on two floors. It honors remarkable films, directors, and actors that aided in the recognition of the Iranian cinemas. The museum also showcases film props such as cinema accessories used for 3D stock motion animation!

1. The Idea of The Cinema Museum Was A Dream

The idea of the Cinema Museum was fronted by iconic Iranian filmmakers and directors. Advocates of the entertainment industry in Iran sought to safeguard the historical significance of the film industry in Iran.

The setting up of the Museum was seen as an accomplishment that promised the foundational preservation of Iranian film enthusiasts. Efforts garnered to put up the complex were successful in 1998. The museum holds significance in Iranian heritage and receives numerous tourists visit annually.

2. The Cinema Museum Building Was Once Repurposed To An Educational Facility

The museum complex in Valiser Street was passed down to several Iranian dignitaries before it was leased to the government. The Ministry of Education repurposed it to primary and secondary school of Shapur. The school was shut down and the building was reopened as a museum in 2002.

3. One Of Its Halls Is Dedicated To Films Made During The Sacred Defense

Iranian Northrop F-5 during Iran-Iraq war. Photo Source

The Cinema Museum Has 7 halls and 6 exhibition rooms. The Sacred Defense Exhibition is dedicated to the movies and directors who contributed to making films themed on the Iran-Iraq War of 1980, a battle that caused economic dislocation in Iran.

Over a hundred movies were created based on the impacts and themes during the Sacred Defense. Some of the notable pieces were Jan-Bazan (1981), Man and Weapon (1988), Bashu, the Little Stranger (1990), and Journey to Chazabeh (1996).

4. The Entrance Gate of The Museum Dates Back 120 Years

The detailed wrought iron gate of the Museum was put up during the renovation of Ferdow’s garden which dates back to the 18^th century. After years of neglect, the garden was refurbished under the ownership of Mohammad Vali Khan Tonekaboni, a great statesman and military commander during the Qajar dynasty.

Tonekaboni brought life to the garden by adding new fountains and pools. During the renovation, he regenerated the aqueducts that supplied fresh water and put up its gate, which is still in its original state until date.

5. It Was Originally Named The Envy Of Heaven

Cinema Museum and Ferdows Garden. Photo By Rye-96-

The complex of the Cinema Museum was first conceptualized by Mohammad Shah in the 1800s. He began to set up the Mohammadie mansion. After his death, the incomplete mansion was abandoned and ownership was transferred later on.

Dust-Ali Khan refurbished the complex and renamed it Ferdows. A new mansion was later set up on the southern end of the Garden. It was named The envy of Heaven by Dust Mohammad Khan. The Mohammadie mansion was later destroyed and the remaining mansion was passed on to Mohammad-Vali Khan.

6. The Cinema Museum Has Recordings Of The First Human Attempt On Videography

Recording Equipment At The Cinema Museum. Photo By Kasir –

The Cinema Museum has a total collection of 3000 film historical documents.  In the Museum, the Hall of History showcases the first capture of videography, ancient religious narratives, and early theater activities in East and South Asia.

The hall also has the first Iranian illustrations of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, the national epic poem on Iranian fables and folklore.

7. It Maintained Its Original 19^th Century Decorative Designs

Pillars of The Cinema Museum. Photo By Hamidreza Hasani –

The Museum preserved some of the designs it previously had when it was constructed. The gigantic pillars facing the museum’s gate are decorated with beautiful plasterwork and well-sculpted moldings. The evergreen Ferdow’s garden still maintained the bronze statues of Iranian philosopher Suhrawardi and Ibn Haytham, an Iranian scientist.

8. It Has The Sculpture Of The Greatest Actor In The History Of Iranian Cinema

Ezzataollah Entenzami was a prominent Iranian actor. He was labeled the greatest actor in the history of Iranian cinema. He was impactful in the film industry with his numerous roles in Iranian films from 1949 to 2015.

His debut performance in The Cow(1969) received the International Golden Hugo Award in 1971. He was awarded Best Actor in the International Fajr Film Festival.

Some of his popular films include Grand Cinema (1989) and the Day of Angel (1993). His last film was his biography Ezzatolah Entezami (2015)

9. It Has A 10 Metre Collage Wall Dedicated To Iranian Films and Actors

The Cinema Museum collectively has 40,000 photographs of artists and cinemas. Great personalities of the Iranian Cinema, such as Abbas Kiarostami and Abdolhossein Sepnata, are acknowledged in the Exhibition Hall of Celebrities.

Similarly, the directors, cinematographers, make-up artists, and costume designers of modern Iranian films are honoured in form of cut-out portraits.

10. Rare Movie Collections Are Sold In The Cinema Museum

The Cinema Museum holds a total of 4,000 screenplays. It has 2 active cinemas with vintage projectors that screen classic Iranian films. It also sells rare films collected over time to the tourist who visit the museum.