Samuel Khachikian, an Iranian-Armenian director, writer, editor, and composer, is regarded as one of the greatest directors in Iranian cinema. Often called the “Hitchcock of Iran,” he was a true cinematic innovator, experimenting with technical and artistic elements in ways few others in Iranian cinema matched.
Born on October 21, 1924, in Tabriz, Khachikian directed over 30 films throughout his career, leaving a lasting and indelible impact on Iranian cinema.
In 1954 (1333 in the Iranian calendar), Khachikian created the first-ever film trailer in Iranian cinema for the movie A Girl from Shiraz, introducing trailers to the country’s film industry. Beyond this milestone, he was also the first director in Iran to thoughtfully select and integrate classical music into his films, enhancing their narrative and emotional impact.
Khachikian’s musical insight and visual sensibility are preserved in a dedicated three-story glass exhibition at the Cinema Museum of Iran, located in the Contemporary Iranian Cinema Hall. The first floor displays photos of his childhood with his mother and sister. In contrast, the upper floors showcase stage design elements, handwritten scripts—including Storm in Our City—and other cinematic artifacts.
His legacy, preserved in the museum’s valuable collection, continues to influence generations of filmmakers and cinephiles.