Draft:Sayyid Morteza Avini
Sayyid Morteza Avini, was a documentarian, photographer, journalist, writer, and theorist of Islamic cinema, and the director and writer of the documentary series "Ravayat-e Fath" who was martyred on 20 Farvardin 1372 SH (9 April 1993), while filming in the Fakkeh region in Khuzestan Province due to a mine explosion and his body was buried on 22 Farvardin in the presence of Imam Khamenei, artists, and writers, and interred in the Behesht-e Zahra Martyrs' Garden.
Biography
Sayyid Morteza Avini was born on 21 Shahrivar 1326 SH (12 September 1947), in the City of Rey, in southern Tehran, in a Muslim middle-class family.
Education
He completed his elementary and guidance school periods in Zanjan, Kerman, and Tehran, and entered university in 1344 SH (1965 CE), graduating with a master's degree in architecture from the University of Tehran.
Artistic Activities
During the Iranian Revolution, Avini began his artistic activity as a documentary film director and was considered one of the prominent war filmmakers. He made over 80 films about the Iran-Iraq War and invented main filming methods, depicting the esoteric aspect of the Iran-Iraq War based on the mystical thought of Shia. Most of his works were dedicated to reflecting the basijis' perception of the war and their role in it. His most famous work is the Ravayat-e Fath documentary series, which was filmed during the Iran-Iraq War.
Works
Ravayat-e Fath
Ravayat-e Fath was a lifelong documentary of the Iran-Iraq War that focused on the daily lives of Iranian soldiers. This series consisted of five episodes and addressed the spiritual aspects of the war. The film depicted a lifelong spiritual experience through its ideological narrative.
Theoretical Works
Avini's signed handwriting on which was written: We have the illusion that we remained but the martyrs left. But the truth is that time took us with itself, but the martyrs remained.
Articles
He wrote a series of articles in Surah Magazine on the critique of Western civilization, a topic that later attracted the attention of his film (Mirage).
Selected Films
- Six Days in Turkmen Sahra;
- Khuzestan Flood;
- Khan Gazideh-ha;
- Truth;
- With Dr. Jihad in Bashagard;
- Seven Stories from Baluchestan;
- With Al-Mahdi Brigade in Ras-al-Bishah Axis;
- Lions of God! Karbala is Waiting;
- A City in the Sky.
Books
- Har Ankeh Juz Khod;
- Ayineh Jadoo;
- Development and Foundations of Western Civilization;
- Heavenly Treasure;
- A Lasting Experience;
- Another Tomorrow;
- Snails Carrying Houses;
- Resurrection of the Soul;
- A Beginning to an End;
- Fath-e Khun;
- Imam and the Esoteric Life of Man;
- Speak to Me, Dukuhah;
- Center of the Sky;
- Breeze of Life;
- Journey to the Land of Light;
- Enfitar-e Surat (On the Theoretical Foundations of Art).
Martyrdom
Sayyid Morteza Avini, on 20 Farvardin 1372 SH (9 April 1993), while filming in the Fakkeh region in Khuzestan Province was martyred due to a mine explosion and his body was buried on 22 Farvardin in the presence of Supreme Leader, artists, and writers, and interred in the Behesht-e Zahra Martyrs' Garden[1].
Naming of Martyrdom Day
Imam Khamenei after Avini's martyrdom, declared him "Sayyid of the Martyrs of the Pen" and on the occasion of his martyrdom, the twentieth day of Farvardin in honor of him in the calendar of Islamic Republic of Iran, has been named "Islamic Revolution Art Day"[2].
Martyr Avini as Narrated by Imam Khamenei
They must not allow his works (Martyr Avini) to remain unfinished. These works were valuable. It is evident that he possessed a very high capacity, enabling him to perform such a large volume of work so well. Particularly, Ravayat-e Fath is of great importance. I would listen to it on the nights it was broadcast. Apparently, no more than three or four episodes were produced. Now, one issue is how to utilize the work he has completed, which is ready and available. Another issue is the continuation of the work. At the time when we requested these gentlemen and I insisted that Ravayat-e Fath should continue, I did not know exactly how it would be continued. Later, when the programs were aired, we saw that this was indeed the case. That is, reviving the values of the Sacred Defense in people's memories. Drawing out those memories one by one from individuals. And depicting them visually, thereby recreating that atmosphere of war. This was the work he was undertaking. And the further it progressed, the better it became. In other words, it became more mature. Because it was unprecedented work. It was not merely about going to the battlefield and speaking with the combatants. That task was much easier. This work was more artistic and difficult, requiring greater intellectual and artistic effort. He initiated it, and gradually it became better and more mature. I surmise that if he had remained alive and continued, this work would have reached great heights. Now, this program must be pursued. Moreover, it is not limited solely to this field. That is, recreating that atmosphere through memories is one of the tasks. Regarding the war and the continuation of Ravayat-e Fath, other works might also be undertaken. It would be a pity for this work to be discontinued. I was very pleased to have met you[3].
See also
Footnotes
References
- A Brief Biography of the Martyr, Website of the Shahid Avini Cultural-Artistic Institute, Date of publication: N/A, Date of access: 20 Farvardin 1404 SH.
- Introduction to the Biography of Martyr Morteza Avini, Website of the Payam Azadegan Cultural and Artistic Institute, Date of publication: N/A, Date of access: 20 Farvardin 1404 SH.
- ↑ Brief biography of the Martyr, Website of the Shahid Avini Cultural Art Institute.
- ↑ Familiarity with the biography of Martyr Morteza Avini, Website of the Payam Azadegan Cultural and Art Institute.
- ↑ Martyr Avini as Narrated by Imam Khamenei, Website of the Shahid Avini Cultural-Artistic Institute.