Avini, master of martyred writers

Today (20th Farvardin–9 April) is the martyrdom anniversary of documentarian Morteza Avini. Making documentary films on 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war was Avini’s trademark.

He was martyred by a landmine in 1993 during his last trip to the former Iran-Iraq war zone in southwestern Iran while making a documentary about soldiers who were still listed as missing in action.

Avini became famous for “The Narration of Triumph” and was considered a ‘master of martyred writers’ by his colleagues and war veterans due to the fervent narrations he wrote for his documentaries.

He also directed the 10-part series “A City in the Sky”, “With Kheibar Battalion”, “Spell or Miracle”, and several other films, and published much written work, all of which are held in high esteem in Iran.

Biography:

Sayyed Morteza Avini (also spelled Aviny) (1947-1993) was a distinguished Iranian photographer of the Iran-Iraq war.

Avini was born in 1947 in Ray, south of Tehran. After earning a master"s degree in architecture from Tehran University, he switched to photography and film, especially after the 1978 revolution of Iran.

He gained national recognition and reputation for his documentary works during the Iran-Iraq war. Some of his team members martyred while filming in war zones. He is especially remembered for the series "The Chronicles of Victory" (روایت فتح), which aired regularly on IRIB.

In 1989, Iran"s supreme leader established a foundation to help continue documenting and commemorating the war. The result was the 10-part series "A City in the Skies" (شهری در آسمان).

Avini was martyred on April 9, 1993 (20th of Farvardin, 1372) by a landmine while making a documentary about the missing soldiers in the former war at southwestern Iran. He left behind many publications, which are regarded with high esteem in Iran.

Avini’s Quote:

Avini is celebrated among Iran"s arts and literature community. His writings are often quoted in the media. Samples: