Today, we at Noori Pictures mourn the passing of Naser Taghvai — one of Iran’s most courageous voices in cinema. His wife, Marzieh Vafamehr, announced his death on Instagram, writing:

 

“Nasser Taghvai, the artist who chose the difficulty of living freely, has earned his liberation. He loved plants, so let us plant a tree in his memory. He loved light, so let us add our candle to his. He loved literature, let us read in his memory. He loved cinema, let us watch in his memory.” 

 

From the dusty streets of Abadan to the heights of international acclaim, Taghvai’s journey was never easy. He refused — again and again — to surrender his vision to the censor’s blade. He was silenced for years, barred from creating, barred from sharing his art. Yet he remained unbowed.

 

We will miss him. Not just as an artist, but as a conscience. He will live through his films. He will never be forgotten.

 

Key Films & Works

 

Naser Taghvai’s output may seem modest in number, but each film carries immense weight — meditations on identity, exile, moral courage, and the ironies of life under constraint. Among his most important works:

 

Tranquility in the Presence of Others (Aramesh dar Hozur-e Digaran, 1972) 

Sadegh Korde (1972) 

The Curse (1973) 

My Uncle Napoleon (TV Series, 1976) 

Captain Khorshid (1986/87) 

Ey Iran (1989) 

Paper Without Lines (Kaghaz-e bi Khatt, 2001) 

 

To Iranian cinema, to his family, and to fans around the world: thank you, Naser Taghvai. Thank you for refusing to yield. You will live forever through your films.

 

Rest in peace.

 

Katayoun Shahabi

CEO and founder of Noori Pictures