.jpg "This combination photo shows producer Ali Mo’allem (L) and Masud Jafari-Jozani and an image of Cyrus the Great.")
TEHRAN -- The Iran Cinema Organization has authorized a film project, which plans to spotlight the life of the founder of the Persian Empire Cyrus the Great, producer Ali Mo’allem said on Saturday.
The application for permission to produce the project entitled “Cyrus the Great” was submitted to the organization two years ago, Mo’allem said in a press release.
The screenplay for the film has been written by Masud Jafari-Jozani, who also will direct it.
“He has written the script carefully based on reliable historical sources with the help of several historians,” Mo’allem stated.
“At the present time while Iran has been attacked by ahistorical films, I hope we can take a step to introduce the Iranian civilization and one of the heroes of our country by this film,” he added.
Mo’allem said that he will begin to seek other producers to invest in this project.
Mo’allem announced in June 2010 that he plans to make a blockbuster on Cyrus the Great. He said that the production of the film may cost $70 million.
He added that if it is produced on a lower budget it will be similar to so many other minor films that have been previously produced on Cyrus the Great.
He said that he had received about 6,000 emails offering help for the project ranging from US$1 to $100,000.
“However, no governmental official has made any comments about this project,” he lamented.
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