Keeping Up With the Western Countries

Iran's booming animation industry

By Frances Harrison BBC News, Tehran

In an attempt to challenge the West's cultural domination, Iranian television has been making Islamic cartoons, some of which it has started exporting to the wider Muslim world.

Stories of martyrdom and revolution are retold through animation

Shia clerics in their robes and turbans are depicted in a series for children about the lives of the martyrs of the Islamic revolution.

The cartoon Martyr Bahonar, for example, tells the story of a future prime minister growing up as a little boy, studying the Koran and becoming a cleric before he is killed in a bomb blast after the Revolution.

There is also a film called Ashurian, which tells the story of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, who is revered by Shia Muslims.

Another cartoon, Children of al-Rashid, projects Iran's view of the Palestinian struggle. It shows a fat Israeli military commander with an obsequious Arab informer talking about calling children in for questioning.

These overtly political cartoons are made by Saba Productions, an offshoot of Iranian state-run televisio.

"Animation has this potential for the exchange of culture and civilisation," says Behrouz Yaghmaian. "Each country should differentiate itself from others."

I do agree with the "Behrouz". This continues to inspire me to go ahead with my "plan" of start my own cartoons, that reflect African folklore and day to day issues. He also goes a head and says

"Animation has another purpose other than just entertainment,". He believes film animation is a good vehicle for social and cultural messages.

I AGREE WITH HIM, yet again!

For example:
Iran has used animation for environmental messages, to promote better driving on the roads and now there are even cartoons being made for the forthcoming presidential elections, to encourage a high voter turnout.

The subject matter may be different from Western cartoons but many of the techniques are of course the same.

I also admire and love Western techniques, however for Countries that are not very keen on animations, i think starting up with "cultural" concepts, will appeal to a wider audeince. However once people accept and are aware of this thing called "Animations" then, possibilities of diversification can begin.