Varuzh Karim-Masihi, a multifaceted individual of Iranian-Armenian descent, was born in 1953 in Arak, Iran. His educational journey began in his motherland, where he completed his elementary and high school education. However, his academic path took an unexpected turn when he moved to Germany to pursue a career in medicine.
It was during his time in Munich, where he was introduced to the Armenian community, that he discovered his passion for cinema. He met an Armenian actor who would later change the course of his life, and his interest in filmmaking was ignited. Upon his return to Iran in 1971, he was introduced to renowned filmmaker Bahram Bayzai, and he began assisting him on various projects.
Karim-Masihi's collaboration with Bayzai lasted until the Islamic Revolution, during which he also worked with other notable directors, including Kamran Shirdel, Amir Naderi, and Bahman Farmanara. Despite being accepted into the College of Dramatic Arts, he chose to prioritize his filmmaking career.
In 1975, he made his debut as a short film director with The Cuckoo, followed by another short film, Salandar, based on a script by Bayzai. After a 15-year hiatus, Karim-Masihi returned to feature filmmaking with his debut film, The Last Act, in 1990. The film received widespread acclaim, earning him eight Crystal Symorgh awards.
Since then, Karim-Masihi has continued to work in the film industry, taking on roles as an editor for various directors. His remarkable journey, marked by perseverance and dedication, has solidified his position as a respected figure in Iranian cinema.
