On Monday, June 5, 2025, the historic documentary “The Persian Oil Industry”—originally produced in 1924 by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC)—was publicly screened for the first time with translated intertitles and newly added sound at Tehran’s Arasbaran Cultural Center. The event commemorated the 117th anniversary of the discovery of oil in Iran.
The restoration and translation work was led by Dr. Ardeshir Salehpour, a cinema expert and art researcher, alongside Dr. Farshid Khodadadian, a historian specializing in oil and industrial heritage. Following the screening, experts delivered speeches discussing the film’s importance in preserving Iran’s oil industrial history and its role in documenting the broader Middle Eastern oil heritage.
Dr. Khodadadian, who also served as one of the event organizers and translated the film’s texts, underscored the cultural and historical significance of both the film and the date of the screening. He particularly highlighted the city of Masjed Soleyman, recognized as the first oil-producing city in Iran and the Middle East.
Addressing students and attendees, Khodadadian stated, “Students of history learn that studying the past is essential for understanding the present and shaping the future. The rich history of our beloved Masjed Soleyman, despite its many achievements, holds little value if it does not help us grasp the city’s current reality or contribute to building a better future for this key oil city, which represents a microcosm of Iran’s oil heritage.”
This screening marked a significant step in raising public awareness about Iran’s industrial legacy and fostering a deeper appreciation of its historic oil industry.
Dr. Farshid Khodadadian raised a thought-provoking question during the event: “With such a rich and proud history, why is Masjed Soleyman facing difficulties today? Why do many locals, when June 5th is mentioned, see oil as a curse? And more broadly, why do many Iranians view oil as a burden rather than a blessing?”
He stressed that revisiting the illustrious history of Masjed Soleyman and Iran’s oil industry is pointless unless it helps answer these questions. According to Khodadadian, watching historical documentaries like this should serve two key purposes: to help both the public and decision-makers better understand current challenges and to inspire efforts toward building a brighter future for Masjed Soleyman and the country.
Khodadadian pointed out that the century-old film highlights the immense hard work and dedication of those involved—not only the European explorers but, more importantly, the Iranian people and the Bakhtiari tribes who were the first hosts of Iran’s oil industry. He noted that the Bakhtiari community, due to their geographical lifestyle and longstanding cultural traditions, have historically shown remarkable tolerance and openness.
He reflected, “I’m not convinced that if oil had been discovered in a different part of Iran, with stricter cultural or religious restrictions, the outcome would have been the same as on June 5, 1908. It is this spirit of tolerance and acceptance that turned Masjed Soleyman into a small-scale reflection of Iran—and even the world—a mosaic of diverse ethnicities, religions, cultures, and nationalities.”
One of the remarkable qualities of the Bakhtiari people, who were the original hosts during the oil discovery, is their aptitude for learning new industrial skills. What makes this even more impressive is that the first generation of these workers shifted from traditional livelihoods like herding and farming to industrial labor. Over a relatively short period, they became skilled workers and, in later generations, developed into specialized experts. Today, as we engage in knowledge management—documenting and preserving oral histories—there exists a wealth of experienced and highly skilled personnel across all stages of the oil industry, from exploration and drilling to production and export. Their firsthand accounts form a crucial resource for managing the heritage and knowledge of Iran’s oil industry.
This researcher also highlights another significant benefit of accessing such historical documentaries: they help correct many previous misconceptions and inaccuracies about the history of oil in Iran. Unfortunately, numerous historical photos and images have been accompanied by incorrect captions and misleading descriptions. Viewing authentic archival films plays an important role in rectifying these mistakes.
He pointed out, “In some cases, public relations departments and archival or museum sections of industrial companies have provided inaccurate information in captions, books, bulletins, and even display panels at exhibitions and official buildings. Because these sources are often considered authoritative, they become widely referenced, which unfortunately leads to the continued spread of false information in research.”
Farshid Khodadadian added that showing and watching such documentary films helps to correct common errors, such as mistakenly presenting a photo of “Reynolds” instead of “William Knox D’Arcy,” or using images of the “Abadan Refinery” in place of “Masjed Soleyman.” Fortunately, dedicated specialists are working carefully in this area. For instance, the “Zendegiye No” bulletin, published by retired oil industry workers under the leadership of the late Mehrdad Amirghiasvand, has consistently offered well-researched oral histories and thorough documentation. Khodadadian expressed hope that these efforts will continue.
He also praised the social media page “Masjed Soleyman Gardy,” managed by his colleague Amir Sargholi, for its meticulous focus on authenticity and well-sourced information, making it an important contributor to the documentation of Iran’s oil history.
The anniversary of the oil discovery at the first Middle Eastern oil well in Masjed Soleyman on June 5th—recently added to the official national calendar—serves as a meaningful occasion to reflect on the present and plan for the future of Masjed Soleyman and Iran. Khodadadian called on everyone to appreciate the significance of this historic moment.
