🔗 Share this article Persian Cinema Titan, Bahram Beyzai, Dies At the Age of 87 Bahram Beyzai (left) with his wife, actress Mozhdeh Shamsai Widespread homages have been shared for the legendary Bahram Beyzai, a colossus of Persian film and stage, who has died at the age of 87 while residing in the United States. Homeland in Mourning The front pages of Iranian newspapers mourn his loss, with dissenting figures and those who reflect nostalgically on the Shah era also paying homage to Beyzai. "This loss is an immense tragedy for the art and culture of our country," remarked Prince Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah of Iran. Although Beyzai's subsequent works were prohibited in the 1980s by the theocratic government, a host of senior figures in the present administration have also paid tribute his contribution to Persian arts. The Teacher of a Generation Several of the current crop of Persian directors have acknowledged their debt to him. Jaafar Panahi said that Beyzai showed them "the way to resist oblivion." Beyzai avoided direct political references in his work, both as a playwright and a cinematic auteur, and always maintained he tried not to deal in explicit commentary. But his oeuvre over countless years sets historical, even mythic figures in opposition with authoritarian religious and political systems. Roots in Tradition From a family of renowned poets, Beyzai was imbued in the richest heritage of Iranian artistry from birth. He first found fame as a playwright, inspired by ancient myths and ceremonies. A lifelong fan of cinema, he moved into making films in the 1970s. He won renown as one of the pivotal artists in the new wave of Persian film. An Enduring Voice His most fruitful era straddled the time of the Shah and then the revolutionary government that deposed him—with each regime ever ready to sniff out hidden messages that could be interpreted as criticism. "Beyzai did not choose the path of least resistance. He endured years of marginalization, enforced quiet, and exile, but he did not give up his artistic voice and his convictions," said Jaafar Panahi in his tribute. The Little Stranger A few years after the Iranian Revolution, he produced what many consider his masterpiece, Bashu, the Little Stranger, about a young child who tries to find shelter from the devastating conflict. It was censored in Iran—as were other films he made in that time—but later voted by film critics as the greatest Iranian film of all time. The film was shown in a newly remastered print at this year's Venice Film Festival, winning an award for best film in the heritage category. A Hopeful Exile Beyzai finally left Iran in 2010 and lived out his final days in the US, where he taught Persian studies. Although he went into exile, his wife, the actress Mozhdeh Shamsai, said just hearing the word "Iran" would still bring tears to his eyes—and he remained ever hopeful for a new culture and tomorrow for his homeland.