Sound In Cinema:
An evening exploring the art and technology of sound in Iranian motion pictures and the important role it plays in shaping the image.
A Tribute to Yousef Shahab: Recording Engineer
Special Guest: Yousef Shahab
Yousef Shahab:During the high school years of Mr. Yousef Shahab he became interested in playing the accordion which was a very popular instrument in Iran. He took lessons and continued playing for many years entertaining a very supportive family and friends. Eventually he became the conductor of school orchestra. The father of a classmate of his who was the producer of the Iranian National Radio’s Children Program was present at one of the school performances and asked Mr. Shahab to work with him on his program.
While working for the Children’s Program, Mr. Shahab became fascinated with the production equipment. Upon graduating from high school, he went to Germany to study as a civil engineer. But changed his mind and attended the Recording Engineering School of Polydor Records, a non-classical label of Dueche Gramaphon. He completed the three year program in record time. During this period, he also obtained hands-on experience at the Polydor’s studio.
Upon his return to Iran, Mr. Shahab worked for the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, producing background music and sound effects for the production of stage and TV plays. After a year, he was also working as recording engineer for the music department of Faculty of Dramatic Arts.
In 1964, The National Iranian Radio and Television (NIRT) was established. Mr. Shahab joined this organization and within three months, he was appointed as their chief audio engineer. In 1969, he moved to California and found employment with Audio Digest Foundation.
In addition to working on numerous educational, corporate, and documentary film projects, he was the audio recording engineer of The Report, a film by Abbas Kiarostami, which was the first Iranian narrative film, entirely shot in sync-sound. *
Mr. Shahab also had the opportunity to work as audio recording engineer on three other films in America: Mission and Checkpoint by Parviz Sayyad and Guests of Hotel Astoria by Reza Allamehzadeh.* The Brick and Mirror by Ebrahim Golestan Was the first narrative film that was partially shot in sync-sound.
THE REPORT
a film by: Abbas Kiarostami
produced by: Bahman Farman Ara
With English Subtitles
With Shohreh Aghdashlou
and Korosh Afshar Panah
Firuzkuhi, a tax controller, often joins his friends on nightly excursions. He runs into financial trouble and cannot get along very well with his wife.
A complaint is lodged against him, accusing him of attempted extortion. Meanwhile, Firuzkuhi has to go to a casino outside the city to inspect its books and returns home very late at night.
The following morning he finds a policeman waiting for him outside his office door. The policeman tells him that he cannot enter his office and then he is asked to hand over the keys to his office cabinets. His books are to be audited the following Saturday.
After a bitter quarrel with his wife, Firuzkuhi goes out for a drink. When he returns, he finds his wife has taken an overdose of sleeping pills. He rushes her to the hospital where he is told that it is not a very serious case and with proper medical care she will be saved. Finally, having been assured that the crisis is over, Firuzkuhi leaves the hospital. Friday is over and Saturday is the day of reckoning.The Report was screened at the Sixth Tehran International Film Festival Competition Section in 1977. It was also the first Iranian narrative film, entirely shot in sync – sound. Yousef Shahab, was the audio recording engineer.
