Khorramshahr in Documentary War Films

Documentary war works, is one of the ways that can be used by authors, artists, and analysts to study about war. They make us familiar to some more extent with the war events also pave the way for researcher to experience the war. Considering several reasons such as kind of issue, propaganda batteries and ploys of the belligerents, war subject is among social phenomena that has its own peculiar characteristics and complexities. Current essay intends to introduce documentary war films depicting occupation, liberation, and reconstruction of Khorramshahr.

News ID: ۵۵۵۴۷

پنجشنبه - ۰۱ آبان ۲۰۰۷ / 2007 01 August

Documentary war works, is one of the ways that can be used by authors, artists, and analysts to study about war. They make us familiar to some more extent with the war events also pave the way for researcher to experience the war. Considering several reasons such as kind of issue, propaganda batteries and ploys of the belligerents, war subject is among social phenomena that has its own peculiar characteristics and complexities. Current essay intends to introduce documentary war films depicting occupation, liberation, and reconstruction of Khorramshahr. It paves the way for those whom want to achieve more comprehensive perception of occupation, and liberation of Khorramshahr. In the essay, documentary war works has been presented in chronological order also topic of all films has been presented briefly. Films chronological sequence directs us to depict better gradual phases of occupation, liberation, and reconstruction of Khorramshahr. In order to efforts of significant documentary film-maker, Sayed Morteza Avini, to be holds dear, his Khorramshahr related works has also been discussed separately.

Introduction
Mans life and history elapse quickly; only events will keep in mind and lack of recording can resulted in distortion of them so this may misguide the future generations. Since Iraq invaded Iran in September 1980 and captured southern, western cities and recapture of them by Iranian troops, 25 years has passed. War era is story of resistance of men who consider their duty defense their country. Liberation of Khorramshahr is symbol of honor and valor of Iranian people, those who sacrificed their life to defense and to save their country also to preserve beliefs, attitudes, and Iranian cultural heritage, the most important legacies, to future generations. Present and future generations have to honor veterans, families of martyrs also hold very dear sacrifices that martyrs and veterans have made and keep in mind their memories. This is possible only by using film, play, novel, poetry, and the like. Also in the other countries, efforts and sacrifices that martyrs, veterans, and sacrificers have made to provide security, welfare, and peace of their country, are holds very dear. Besides material aids, special ceremonies are also hold to honor them.
Current essay intends to answer the following question: "what is the best way to provide information on the imposed war era, its related events, and how we can return to the then time and observe events in a relatively more real form? Referring to the then documentary war films is offered by the essay so it intends to introduce the films that has produced, either in the course of the war or after that, concerning war in Khorramshahr and has remained as legacies to future generations. Methodologists of sociology categorize research methods according to validity of empirical findings and their importance as follow: experimental, field, content analysis, and survey. Sociologists attempt to apply experimental method as psychologists and social psychologists do.
Considering the nature of different subjects in sociology, yet it is impossible to apply the method. Field research and objective observation of events are in the second rank according their validity. Documentary war films are considered among field researches by filmmakers and it is the best documents of studying of the war for researchers. Of course, we should admit that to produce documentary war film is one of the most difficult kinds of documentary films.
It is movie director and cinematographer that determine our angle of sight; we see only what they have recorded, but despite this, documentary films validly are the best documents to study the war. In this essay, we discuss around those films whose central issue is war, liberation, and reconstruction of Khorramshahr. Issues concerning war in Khorramshahr can be divided into several phases; phase one includes initial invasion of Iraqi forces into Khorramshahr in which Khorramshahrs civilians become homeless, and fled the city to refuge safe places outside the city. The phase have been depicted by Sacred Defense theaters filmmakers, such as early scene of Kimiya(1995) or in the Sun Land (1997), both produced by Ahmad Reza Darvish, in which director show us early scenes of invasion into occupied cities based on his memories and experiences. "Blood Red produced by Hatamikiya is also one of the most valuable TV series in recent years depicting invasion of enemy and fall of Khorramshahr.
Second phase is overwhelming resistance of Iranian combatants to prevent fall of Khorramshahr, it may be one of the most tragic phases of the war. Men who fought alone, unaided against enemy armed to the teeth and martyred. Perhaps, no one can describe this stage of the war even in its simplest form, and just those have presented on the scene can understand what happened to them. Phase three includes victory and recapture of Khorramshahr. During forth phase occurred liberation of the city. Then came the final phase when after the withdrawal of Iraqi troops, Iranians began returning to Khorramshahr and reconstruction begins. War in Khorramshahr through Documentary Films Now, films whose main subject is about Khorramshahr also its related issues are indicated in order of production.
This way has the virtue of including all the above phases. In 1980, documentary film entitled Limits of History was produced by Mohammad Reza Eslamlou depicts ruins left in Iran-Iraq war on DezfoÅ«l, AhvÄ?z, Abadan, Khorramshahr and the cities resistance of people. "Wireless Operator, Mahmoud Noraee"(1981), produced by Mehdi Maadani about resistance of combatants in Khorramshahr neighbor of Kut sheikh and conversation with them. He also talks about his efforts at the front, family, and memories through the film. In 1981, "Right's Battle; Khorramshahr, Blood City, Love City"(group production) was produced.
The film can be useful to those who intend to know about combatants' condition of life at the opening years of war. It shows war activities, worship of soldiers and combatants at Khorramshahr front. Martyr Abu alfazl Esmaeli, one of the martyrs of the war, before his martyrdom talks in the film as well an interview has made with his family. "Bloody Victory"(group production), has been produced by Guards Corps in 1982. It narrates campaigns of combatants during the liberation of Khorramshahr. "Khorramshahr"(1982), is a group production, which is planed based on poetry of contemporary poet, Sepideh Kashani, along with pictures of combatants.
"Bridge of Liberty"(1982), has produced by Mehdi Maadani and Farhad Saba. When Iraqi troops invaded Khorramshahr, Iranian commanders were thinking of different ways to liberate it. One of that ways was to construct a bridge named Bridge of Liberty over Karoun River. Film's name was inspired by the event and it intends to show the effort of combatants.
"A letter from Khorramshahr"(1983) by Nasrolah Nasr; coming after liberation of Khorramshahr, when returning some inhabitants of the city to see it, a boy walks across the city and describe it's state in a letter to his brother living in Tehran. The film has been produced by Ministry of Islamic Guidance. "Behrouz Morady"(1983), is title a film directed by Mehdi Kaffaee. Behrouz Morady, who has once been a teacher in Khorramshahr before war, narrates his memories of war, heavy bombardments, and air attacks of Iraqi fighters.
"We have slept on the earth" another film by Mehdi Kaffaee in which besides introducing Iranian veterans of Iran-Iraq war, he also describes Khorramshahr's state at the beginning of war and Beytlmoqadas Operations that lead to liberation of Khorramshahr. In addition to the above items, in "Report of liberation of Khorramshahr"(1983) Mehdi Kaffaee shows images of ruins of Khorramshahr in which Behrouz Morady, the narrator, once has been a teacher narrates his memories. In "Liberation of Khorramshahr"(1983), Hasan Monazeh depicts different phases of Beytolmoqadas Operations that led to liberation of Khorramshahr and capture of more than 12000 Iraqi soldiers.
"On Continuation of the Way" From Dab Hardan till Khorramshahr"(1983) produced by Hamid Rakhshany. In the film, Rakhshany shows how ruined cities of Dab Hardan. Huwayze, Abadan, and Khorramshahr are reconstructs by Reconstruction Committee for war zones. "From Khorramshahr till Eternity"(1984) is directed by Ali Reza Eslamian and is produced by Guards Corps. It depicts ruins of the city during war era, paintings on the walls concerning Revelution, the war, and reconstruction after liberation of Khorramshahr.
In "Khorramshahr is Your Home"(1984), Mohammad Mir Hosseini shows ruins of Khorramshahr after its liberation. "Green Faces, Burnt Bodies"(1986), a romantic film directed by Mahmoud Showlizadeh about southern regions of Iran and that despite disastrous ruins of the war in Khorramshahr and Abadan, trees have become green. Avini; the Pioneer In all sciences, there are some people who are pioneer. For example, in scope of poetry and ghazal, Hafiz is pioneer. In all artistic, scientific, and literary branches also there are few pioneers that are the object of other's envy. In genre of documentary war films of Iran, martyr Sayed Morteza Avini certainly is pioneer.
He all the time will be pioneer in this respect. For this reason, we have allotted a separate section to him. Sayed Morteza Avini (1947-1993) was graduated from the College of Fine Arts, Tehran University and got his M.A of architecture. After the Revolution triumph, he gave up architecture and devoted his whole life to the Revolution through filmmaking. His first work was a TV series called "Khan Gazideh-ha" about the uproar caused by Khosrow Qasqaee. "Khuzestan's Flood", his next work, was produced in the same time. Having begun the war, he went to the front. Accompanying his party, He arrived in Khorramshahr during its siege and produced "Hagigat"(11 episodes). Avini and Ravayat-e-Fath; series of Ravayat-e-Fath is the most elaborate and greatest documentary war film in Iran during era of Holy Defense. Avini and his companions produced more than 70 serials during tow years (1986-1988). Khorramshahr through Avini's Documentary Works Sayed Morteza Avini has produced several documentary TV series about Khorramshahr. "The Victory of Blood"(1980) shows Khorramshahr previous to its fall. In the same year, he produced "Hagigat one" while Khorramshahr has just fallen and Abadan is in siege. In this film, Iranian combatants withstand against enemy in station number seven, around Bahman Shyr, Fayazieh, and villages around Abadan and Kut sheikh. Finally, it ends in talking of tow combatants of Khorramshahr that they have still not accepted whose city has fallen.
In "Hagigat three"(1980), Behrouz, one of the combatants who was fought in Khorramshahr, retells resistance of youths in Khorramshahr and its fall. Memories and scenes of combatants' resistance have also been seen in the film. "Hagigat fourth" has been produced in 1972. Some youths have sat and narrat stories about fall of Khorramshahr. In 1993, martyr Avini again produced a sex episodes series entitled "Ravayat-e Fath; City in the Heaven" that is a review of the war in Khorramshahr, story of resistance, sacrifice, also martyrdom of combatants, and finally liberation of Khorramshahr.
What is said was a passing review on documentary war films. Some data-x-items may be omitted on the essay, but we have tried our best to introduce all films whose main subject is Khorramshahr. It should be mentioned that most documentary films has been produced by "War Unit" or other units of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. So if some data-x-items have been produced by other organizations, their names have been mentioned. Conclusion It is necessary for other people (other than those who have been at the front) such as authors, broadcasters, filmmakers, and other artists to be familiar with the war, front, and its scenes. Documentary war films are the best and the most expressive means in this respect.
Current documentary war films about hardships of people, fall, recapture, and reconstruction of occupied cities including Khorramshahr, are among the most indisputable research documents to researchers. We have tried in the essay to introduce a brief of documentary war films to future generations; those who can only make connection with the war through ages. Mentioned films have been about five issues concerning Khorramshahr; invasion of enemy and resistance, fall, liberation, and reconstruction of Khorramshahr.
Documentary films, concerning ruins of Khorramshahr, are the best means for those who intend to research in this respect. Since Sayed Morteza Avini is pioneer concerning production of documentary war films, so his works has been examined separately. Avini's documentary works divides into tow general categories; works prior to the war and works about the war. Second category, works about the war, still divides into tow subcategories. Part one includes worthy series of "Ravayat-e-Fath" produced from 1986 till 1988. And part two includes Avini,s other documentary war works that his Khorramshahr related works has been mentioned. Despite hardships, documentarians have suffered to make depict events of the war, still its obvious that it is impossible to record all events of the war on film. It can't help it. The best way to raise imagination and to create artistic works for the future generations to understand the war is referring to documentary works. It is hoped that this essay will prove effective in introducing mentioned works.
References Agababaei, A. (2003) A Contrastive Analysis of Iran and World Documentary Films.
Tehran: Ravayat-e-Fath Publications Sayed Morteza, A. (1999) "Ravayat-e-Fath, the Magic Mirror", Vol.3. Tehran: Saqy Press Simaei, M. (2002) Resistance in the Frame, two volumes. Tehran: Farhang Kavosh Publications. Shamlou, S. et al. (1998) "Cinema in the Mirror of sun". Tehran: Elmi Press Ferasati, M. (2000) "War for Peace", three volumes. Tehran: Association of Revolution Cinema and Holy Defense Ferasati, M. (2003) "25 years of Iran Cinema, Cinema of War and Holy Defense". Tehran: Iran Museum of Cinema Maadani, S, and Pyrkhaegy, A. (2002) "Way of Honoring War Combatants and Sacrificers in Other Countries"(2nd edition). Tehran: Shahed press
• Writer: Dr. Saeed Maadani, Staff member of Islamic Azad University
• Besides material aids, special ceremonies are also hold to honor them, for further reading refer to: Maadani, Pyrkhaegy. (2002) "Way of Honoring War Combatants and Sacrificers in Other Countries"(2nd edition). Tehran: Shahed press