“Cinema-pilgrimage” project proposal in Mashhad/Culture is always the basis of social developments

According to Fars news agency, Mohammad Khazaei, the head of the cinema organization, met with the governor of Khorasan Razavi during his trip to Khorasan province.

Khorasan Razavi Governor Yaqub Ali Nazari welcomed the move of the director of the film organization and said: We hope this presence will be a source of good and blessings. We also agree with your concerns and are ready for any cooperation for the growth of Razavi Khorasan cinema. In Razavi Khorasan, we have an exceptional capacity, and that is the blessed presence of Imam Reza (AS), and I believe that if we are enriched in terms of content focused on this source, the entire culture and cinema of the country will undergo transformation.

Referring to the presence and movement of 25 to 30 million pilgrims to the holy city of Mashhad throughout the year, Nazari pointed out: In addition to the pilgrimage of the 8th Imam, various cultural programs, cinema, theater, etc. can be used. Taking advantage of this exceptional capacity requires a special focus in the field of performing arts with a content perspective, because every year we witness the presence of pilgrims from many different parts of the world and Iran in Mashhad.

Referring to the capacities of Razavi Khorasan and emphasizing on having a comprehensive view in this field, he said: three components of place, film and audience are necessary to benefit from a comprehensive program. The audience is the driving engine of cinema and is as valuable as a mine.

Governor of Khorasan Razavi stated that audience building in the field of culture is the duty of the government: a comprehensive look at these three components is necessary, considering these special and exceptional advantages, the presence of 30 million pilgrims, the historical record of this city and the cultural capacities of Khorasan. Razavi needs leaps in both quantity and quality, and we agree with you in this regard. Culture is always the foundation of social developments, therefore, we are with you to fulfill this mission. Many content programs should be provided so that the pilgrims of Imam Reza (AS) can benefit from them in their free time because expressing the virtues of Imams through the language of cinema, theater and other arts will lead to attracting more people to this family.

He added: Choosing the right place to present the film and the type of work should be done correctly to impress the audience well, and if any of these things are weak, the audience will not react properly to the film.

In the continuation of this meeting, the head of the country’s cinematographic organization, referring to the distinct advantages and distinctions of Khorasan Razavi province and Mashhad city, said: As a spiritual and religious base, this province has an important impact on the development of cultural and cinematic infrastructure. At the beginning of the 13th government, there were 600 cinema halls in the country, but based on the plans and measures taken until June 1402, the number of 200 cinema halls will be added to this capacity, of which more than 100 have been opened so far.

The head of the cinema organization added: 35 theaters will be added to the screening cycle in Razavi Khorasan province by the end of the year. Also, in the field of infrastructure development, our effort in the field of infrastructure development is that by the end of 1404, the number of cinema halls across the country will reach 1,200, which is twice the previous capacity.

He said: In Razavi Khorasan, we have visited Torbat Heydarieh, Gonabad and Neishabur and checked the infrastructure. Also, expert meetings have been held to solve the problems of the cities, and plans have been made for the areas that do not have cinemas. Torbat Heydarieh, Kashmer, Sabzevar and Neishabur cinemas were built to be restored and their problems solved.

Referring to the traffic capacity of 25 to 30 million pilgrims throughout the year, the head of the cinema organization put forward a motion design proposal entitled “Cinema-pilgrimage” and stated: There is a possibility of showing some suitable cinematographic works with subtitles for foreign pilgrims, which requires planning. It is for this matter to witness its spiritual effects. The unique feature of Razavi Khorasan compared to other provinces of the country is the presence of the enlightened court of the 8th Imam of Hazrat Imam Reza (a.s.), and this capacity can be used to organize film festivals in the field of pilgrimage and spiritual and religious films.

He added: It is planned to implement more complete and comprehensive programs in Razavi Khorasan province in 1402, and by the end of this year, the capacity of Razavi Khorasan cinemas will be increased with the construction of 35 cinema halls.

Also, at the end of this meeting, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the governor of Khorasan Razavi and the head of the country’s cinema organization with the aim of strengthening the provincial cinema.

Mohammad Reza Sokhandi, Director General of Legal Affairs, Parliament and Provinces of the Cinema Organization, Alireza Esmaili, Assistant and Director General of the Directorate, Hashem Mirzakhani, Cinemashahr CEO, and Mehdi Azarpandar, Director of Young Cinema, accompanied the head of the Cinema Organization.

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