Ali Hatami

Hezar-Dastan was an Iranian epic historical drama television series from 1987, developed and directed by Ali Hatami. Hezar Dastan is considered one of the most important and most influential works of art in the history of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. The production of the show took almost 8 years, starting in 1979 and ending in 1987, during which Hatami established a large set to represent Tehran in both Qajar dynasty and World War II, retroactively creating Iran's first movie studio and backlot (named Ghazali Cinema Town). The show tells the story of Reza Khoshnevis (also known as Reza Tofangchi), and his life and entanglement with corruption in government, and trying to correct it using not conventional means. The story is split into two section and it features Iran during the turbulent times of the latter days of Qajar Dynasty and during the events of World War II and Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran.

Inspired by Iranian folk tales and reputed as the first Iranian musical movie, the film follows the story of the lazybones congenitally bald Hassan who is tricked out of the house by his mother. Then he learns about Chelgis, a girl kidnapped and kept by an ogre in his enchanted garden. Smitten by her beauty, Hassan tries to find a way to save her. In a public bathroom, he encounters his doppelganger. The doppelganger promises to fulfill his wishes in return for a fraction of his life. But when fulfilled, his wishes do not emerge the same he envisioned…

A group of Iranian classical musicians in the Ghajar era try to release their first record, which takes them on a journey to France.

Hajji Hossein-Gholi Noori (Haji Baba) goes to Washington D.C. as the first Iranian (Persian) ambassador to the United States of America. After he opens the embassy, he is unable to invite statesmen to visit him. Haji fires the embassy staff due to the inability of the Persian government to meet the embassy's needs. One night he is visited by President Grover Cleveland.

Desiderium lyrically charts the hapless loves of a three brother: Majid, they young handicapped brother with a deformed head falls in love with Aghdas, a prostitute hired by his eldest brother Habib to entertain him, not knowing the truth about her profession. Karim, the middle brother is so infatuated with a quail that he almost completely ignores his wife and her emotions. Habib himself is in love with Foroogh, a tailor lady who lives with them, while his sense of responsibility about Majid keeps him from requiting her affections.

The film progresses along two distinct but interwoven series of events. The first series involves young members of a family who have gathered round their old mother and revive their common childhood memories. the second line focuses on the old woman's preparations for her last journey and her joyous cooperation in arranging for the ceremonies that are to be observed after her death.

Seyed Morteza, a pigeon fancier, lives in Kashan with his blind mother. He captures a ring-necked dove that all the local dove fanciers are after. His mother considers the dove a bad omen and asks Seyed Morteza to let it go. Meanwhile, Seyed Morteza’s uncle, Seyed Mostafa, sends him to Shiraz to propose to his fiancée, Tooba. Morteza and Tooba fall in love and get married. Morteza brings Tooba back to Kashan but tells nothing about it to his mother or his uncle. His mother discovers their relationship and, believing Morteza has betrayed them, curses him. Mostafa arrives and overhears her words...

The movie chronicles the life of the famous painter Kamololmolk, and his relationship with various kings.

Baba Shamal and Looti Heydar, two community leaders of adjacent neighbourhoods make a pact of fraternity. Baba Shamal's high attitude of Heydar however dramatically changes when he is told that Heydar has been enamoured with Shokat, the girl Baba Shamal has just wed,...

In Tehran 1916 during first world war a group of patriots make a punishment committee to punish the traitors. With the lead of Abolfatooh Mirza, Reza Tofangchi begins the assassinations.

Ghalandar feels bothered by the suitors wooing for his sister Eshrat. But for a secret reason he does not want to marry her off. As a way out, he asks his trusted friend Sadegh to marry his sister, but warns him about making love with her. Sadegh tries to keep his promise, but when he leaves his wife immediately after the wedding ceremony for the capital, Eshrat follows and joins him and his mother. Unable to bear with the taunts of mother, Sadegh eventually breaks his oath and takes his legal wife to bed. Informed of this betrayal, Ghalandar waylays Sadegh at a dark night and stabs him to death. Eshrat, suspecting who is behind this murder, flees and joins a whorehouse, intent to exact her revenge by staining the name of his so-far respectable brother...

The second feature film to be edited using footage from Hatami's miniseries Hezar Dastan.

The Teacher without Master

Four Iranian soldiers are sent deep into Iraqi territory during the Iran-Iraq War to conduct a reconnaissance mission, with the chances of their safe return slim to none.

Jafar Khan, son of a rich traditional family in Tehran, comes back to Iran after spending 8 years for studying in Europe, but he has changed completely to the extent that he cannot even speaks Farsi properly.

The most complete narrative of the 52 years of life of Iranian director Ali Hatami (1944-1996).

Mr. Khavari, a calligraphy teacher who is the tenant of an aristocratic family has fallen in love with their daughter. But the hand of fate is working against his heartfelt sentiments. Every time he find a chance to ask for the girl's hand, a rival crops up that marries the girl and make him a loser. But Khavari proves himself a persevering suitor...

Based on the true story of the Azari war hero, Satar Khan, during the time of the Constitutional Revolution. The story follows Satar and Heidar as they join another hero Bagher Khan.

Part 13 of the 14-part documentary series which discovers cultural roots and aesthetics of modern Iranian films and the relationship between different Persian art forms and Iranian Cinema.