An Introduction to the Theory of the Feature Movies
Mohammad Naqashzadeh
Reprinted from: Honar Nameh, University of Art, Tehran, No. 11, 2001 (A brief of the article)


The movies appeal in the first instance to what we see; and only then how to see. To see correctly and precisely, we need a precise visual order, organized on the basis of the subject's requirements.

Consequently, the basic function of the picture and the visual structure of the frame is to allow us to see the action or adventure or anything else that takes place and is important in the world beyond the frame.

The believable picture or, more accurately, the world depicted by the picture is the most essential factor in the spectator's interest in the world of the movies. Therefore, the most realistic movies are those that convey the most complete illusion of reality.

They put the technical capabilities of the movie and pictorial esthetics at the service of creating an illusion of reality. The feature movies combines the capacity to create a realistic (i.e. believable) picture with the capacity of creating a dramatic (i.e. imaginary and story-telling) illusion.

At its height, the movie reaches a believability that is the combination of illusion and reality.