Mohammad Tayyeb, the director of Iran's Art and Experience Cinema Group, shared his reflections in the latest edition of Experience Monthly. Invited to address persisting criticisms surrounding the nature of the Art and Experience Cinema Group, Tayyeb discussed developments during his one-year tenure managing the center and the group's nine-year history since its inauguration on 2014.
Originally conceived as an initiative under the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and the Cinema Organization, the Art and Experience Cinema Group was established to support the screening of artistic, experimental, and thought-provoking cinema films. Previously, funding for such screenings was channeled through the Center for the Development of Documentary, Experimental, and Animation Cinema to an institution named "Cinema of Iranian Art and Experience." However, due to various reasons, the cinema organization decided to directly entrust the expansion center with the responsibility for this cinema group.
Clarifying misconceptions, Tayyeb emphasized that the decision to streamline the process did not signify a halt or discontinuation of support for artistic and experimental films, despite misleading reports to the contrary. The subsequent year, backed by quantitative and qualitative data, has demonstrated the group's success in transforming art and experience from what was once perceived as niche shows into experiences that have garnered increased audiences.
Previously, each film in the Art and Experience cinema group had an average audience of approximately 500 people, based on the Samfa system (Cinema Sales and Screening Management System) available since 2018. Presently, this number has tripled, with an average of about 1,600 audience members per film. Notably, this surge occurred amidst a challenging year marked by social issues that impacted the space for artistic and cultural activities in the country.
Tayyeb highlighted the group's commitment to inclusivity in movie selection, ensuring a diverse range of tastes found a place in the screening space. The lineup spanned from well-crafted scientific documentaries like "My Captain" to adaptations of famous plays such as "Moqiman Nakoja," documentaries like "The Last Scene" centered on reciting prayers, and even debut films like "The Son of Man" addressing specific topics.
The Art and Experience Group, according to Tayyeb, serves as a platform to nurture cinematic talents, providing opportunities for both emerging filmmakers with works like "Tara" and collaborative productions like "Silent Tree," a joint effort between Iran and Turkey. The screening space also welcomes independent and low-budget films such as "Emo" and "Cut Out," showcasing their success. The inclusivity extends to various genres, featuring films like "Homework," a documentary, and "Dawar," a fictional film with a non-linear narrative, alongside 11 short films spanning different cinematic styles. Tayyeb concluded by acknowledging the countless other films that have contributed to the vibrant and diverse landscape of the Art and Experience Cinema Group.
