Housed in a Qajar-era mansion that includes Iran’s first cinema, the film museum has well-displayed and explained (in English) exhibits of equipment, photos and posters from Iran’s century-old movie industry. It’s interesting, even if you are not well-versed in Iranian film, and the building and accompanying cafe-restaurants are great places to meet educated, English-speaking Tehranis.
The highlight is an ornate 121-seat cinema with moulded plaster ceilings. New and classic Iranian films are screened here (usually without subtitles) at 3pm, 5pm, 7pm (US$3) and 9pm (US$4) daily; get a Farsi-speaker to call 2272 3535 to see what’s on. A shop also sells hard-to-find Iranian films on DVD (US$3).
From Valiasr Ave, look for the street with a garden down the middle and a sign to Bahoner Library.
