TEHRAN–Prominent Iranian-Armenian cinema director Samuel Khachikian–who made great contributions to Iranian cinema as well as to the Iranian-Armenian cultural development–passed away in Iran on Oct. 22. He was 78.
Khachikian was born in Tabriz–Iran and was the oldest son in his family. After finishing his education–Khachikian chose a career in theater. His first works–"Sara,"The Prostitutes" and "Gray Curtains," were introduced to the Armenian community first and then to the general public of Iran. Afterward–he collaborated with prominent director Aramais Aghamalian–and famous actor Armani–as well as businessman and director Joseph Vaezian.
Samuel Khachikian gave Iranian cinema a new momentum after his debut in the early sixties. With his unique and defiant style he created films that earned him the title of the Alfred Hitchcok of Iranian cinema.
Presently–the Iranian movie archives proudly holds several of his works including "Party in Hell,"Cross Ways of Events,"Southern Thief,"Goodbye Tehran," and many others.
