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Eurasia Review
Feb 28 2015
Iranian Film Critic, Zaven Ghokasian Passes Away At 65
February 28, 2015 Radio Zamaneh Leave a comment
By Radio Zamaneh
Prominent film critic Zaven Ghokasian passed away on February 20 at
the age of 65 in his home in Isfahan following a long battle with
stomach cancer. Ghokasian had spent five months in hospital in Austria
and underwent stomach surgery in September. On January 27 he finally
returned to his hometown of Isfahan. Upon return to Iran he was again
where he was transferred to hospital undergoing more general exams and
after about two weeks around February 10 finally he returned home
where he had to finally surrender in the battle against cancer.
Ghokasian was born in 1951 in Isfahan and graduated with a bachelor in
chemistry from university of Isfahan. His mother, Ada Atayan, was one
of the young cinema lovers that frequented the newly established Cine
Club in Isfahan in the 1950s. She then became Zaven's first
introduction to cinema and film magazines.
In 1970 Arby Avanesian Armenian- Iranian auteur filmmaker went to
Isfahan to film Cheshmeh and Zaven found himself drawn to his film
sets. He met with Avanesian and was deeply influenced by him which
made him further pursue studies and research in film. In 1972,
Ghukasian published his first book on film titled Dar Bareye Cheshmeh
(About Cheshmeh), an analysis of Avanesian's film by the same title.
He also went on to work as an amateur filmmaker with 8mm film and
later became head of Isfahan's Free Cinema. All My Children, Another
Season and Old Bride are amongst the titles of his films. Armenian
artists and customs of Iranian-Armenians were some of the chief
subjects of his films.
Ghokasian has published 24 books on Iranian filmmakers and actors such
as Abbas Kiarostami, Bahram Beyzai, Bahman Farmanara and Fatemeh
Motamedarya. Ghokasian also served on numerous judging panels in film
festivals in Iran, Austria, Italy and Armenia and wrote hundreds of
articles and film reviews and critiques in his 43 years as a film
critic.
He researched extensively about oral history and documentary
filmmaking. He also held teaching positions in Tehran's Soureh
University and Isfahan's Sepehr University.
During his hospitalization in Austria, the ailing film critic was
visited by a number of Iranian filmmakers and artists including Abbas
Kiarostami. Asghar Farhani, Heshmat Arash Riyahi. Farhad Varharam and
Fatemeh Motamedarya.
Zaven Ghokasina will be laid to rest in the Cemetery of Armenians in
Isfahan next to his parents.
http://www.eurasiareview.com/28022015-iranian-film-critic-zaven-ghokasian-passes-away-at-65/
Feb 28 2015
Iranian Film Critic, Zaven Ghokasian Passes Away At 65
February 28, 2015 Radio Zamaneh Leave a comment
By Radio Zamaneh
Prominent film critic Zaven Ghokasian passed away on February 20 at
the age of 65 in his home in Isfahan following a long battle with
stomach cancer. Ghokasian had spent five months in hospital in Austria
and underwent stomach surgery in September. On January 27 he finally
returned to his hometown of Isfahan. Upon return to Iran he was again
where he was transferred to hospital undergoing more general exams and
after about two weeks around February 10 finally he returned home
where he had to finally surrender in the battle against cancer.
Ghokasian was born in 1951 in Isfahan and graduated with a bachelor in
chemistry from university of Isfahan. His mother, Ada Atayan, was one
of the young cinema lovers that frequented the newly established Cine
Club in Isfahan in the 1950s. She then became Zaven's first
introduction to cinema and film magazines.
In 1970 Arby Avanesian Armenian- Iranian auteur filmmaker went to
Isfahan to film Cheshmeh and Zaven found himself drawn to his film
sets. He met with Avanesian and was deeply influenced by him which
made him further pursue studies and research in film. In 1972,
Ghukasian published his first book on film titled Dar Bareye Cheshmeh
(About Cheshmeh), an analysis of Avanesian's film by the same title.
He also went on to work as an amateur filmmaker with 8mm film and
later became head of Isfahan's Free Cinema. All My Children, Another
Season and Old Bride are amongst the titles of his films. Armenian
artists and customs of Iranian-Armenians were some of the chief
subjects of his films.
Ghokasian has published 24 books on Iranian filmmakers and actors such
as Abbas Kiarostami, Bahram Beyzai, Bahman Farmanara and Fatemeh
Motamedarya. Ghokasian also served on numerous judging panels in film
festivals in Iran, Austria, Italy and Armenia and wrote hundreds of
articles and film reviews and critiques in his 43 years as a film
critic.
He researched extensively about oral history and documentary
filmmaking. He also held teaching positions in Tehran's Soureh
University and Isfahan's Sepehr University.
During his hospitalization in Austria, the ailing film critic was
visited by a number of Iranian filmmakers and artists including Abbas
Kiarostami. Asghar Farhani, Heshmat Arash Riyahi. Farhad Varharam and
Fatemeh Motamedarya.
Zaven Ghokasina will be laid to rest in the Cemetery of Armenians in
Isfahan next to his parents.
http://www.eurasiareview.com/28022015-iranian-film-critic-zaven-ghokasian-passes-away-at-65/