Ashkan Rahgozar: Animating Myth, Crafting New Realities

In a captivating and introspective episode of Cozy Corner, host Hossein Nasiri engages in a deeply personal conversation with Ashkan Rahgozar—writer, director, producer, and the visionary founder of Hoorakhsh Studios, Iran’s pioneering animation powerhouse. Rahgozar has emerged as a transformative figure in Iranian animation, seamlessly blending mythology, history, and contemporary sensibilities into immersive, visually stunning stories. Through his films, he pushes beyond conventional storytelling, aiming to reshape cultural narratives and spark meaningful dialogue.

A Childhood Spark Ignited by Myth

Ashkan’s creative journey began early, rooted in a household that nurtured artistic expression. His childhood was infused with mythological tales such as Shahnameh, One Thousand and One Nights, and Amir Arsalan, stories that fascinated him deeply. His father, an engineer who embraced technology, brought computers into their home in the early 1990s, inadvertently planting seeds of curiosity that would blossom into Ashkan’s lifelong passion for animation.

But the defining moment came unexpectedly. At sixteen, Ashkan attended the Tehran Animation Biennial, where he encountered Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke. The experience left him spellbound, dramatically shifting his aspirations. “From that moment,” Ashkan recalls, “I decided animation wasn’t just something I enjoyed—it was my calling.” This pivotal experience crystallized his vision: animation as a tool for cultural dialogue, deeply intertwined with identity and mythology.

Building from Humble Beginnings

With passion ignited, Ashkan founded Hoorakhsh Studios at nineteen, initially operating from a single room in his father’s house. Early years were marked by relentless experimentation and humble projects—music videos, short animations, and commissioned gigs barely covering costs. Despite limited resources, Ashkan’s discipline and determination slowly built momentum, transforming a small creative endeavor into Iran’s largest private animation studio, employing over 150 people today.

But the journey was arduous. Ashkan faced persistent skepticism from industry gatekeepers who doubted his ambitious vision. Yet, rather than discouraging him, each rejection fueled greater resolve. “Every ‘no’ reinforced my determination,” Ashkan reflects. It became clear that his commitment to animation was less about financial success than about the necessity of storytelling itself.

Animating Ancient Epics for Modern Audiences

Ashkan’s groundbreaking project, The Last Fiction, brought Iranian animation unprecedented global recognition. Loosely adapted from the Shahnameh, it reimagined the myth of Zahhak with contemporary complexity, nuanced characters, and vivid artistry. Rather than merely retelling familiar tales, Ashkan dared to explore moral ambiguity, grounding ancient narratives in modern emotional relevance.

The Last Fiction’s innovative approach earned it international acclaim: becoming the first Iranian animated feature screened at Cannes Film Market, Annecy Festival, and shortlisted for an Academy Award. Despite limited domestic theatrical support, it proved Iranian myths could resonate globally when articulated with authenticity and depth.

Beyond cinema, Ashkan expanded the project’s universe through graphic novels, board games, and even a mobile game. Although ambitious, Ashkan emphasizes these extensions weren’t mere marketing tactics but natural expansions of his narrative universe, driven by the richness and depth of the characters themselves. “The story itself demanded more,” Ashkan notes, “it compelled me to keep creating.”

Animation as a Catalyst for Dialogue

For Ashkan, animation is not merely entertainment—it’s a profound cultural dialogue. He passionately argues that mythology, far from being outdated, holds crucial keys to cultural identity. “Myth is beyond history, beyond mere stories. It is our identity itself,” Ashkan explains. He believes contemporary societies need mythology as much as ancient ones did, observing how modern storytelling—from Hollywood blockbusters to comic-book heroes—fulfills similar myth-making functions, providing society with identity and moral guidance.

His recent film, Juliet and the King, exemplifies this philosophy differently. Departing from epic mythology, Ashkan playfully engages with Qajar-era Iranian history through a romantic comedy lens, filled with music and vibrant aesthetics. This shift demonstrates his versatile storytelling ability, showcasing history’s potential for both profound commentary and engaging entertainment. Ashkan firmly believes powerful narratives can simultaneously entertain and inspire introspection, fulfilling cinema’s fundamental purpose.

An Artist’s Responsibility: Creating with Meaning

Ashkan draws a clear line between commissioned commercial projects and personal, heartfelt creations. Though pragmatic about business realities, he reserves deepest passion for stories genuinely reflecting his artistic vision. “I don’t make fast-food animations,” he asserts. His goal is not audience approval or quick financial returns but fostering lasting emotional and intellectual engagement. Each project, for Ashkan, must carry meaning, provoke thought, and challenge assumptions.

This purposeful approach permeates Hoorakhsh Studios, where internal projects draw fierce enthusiasm. Ashkan creates an environment where team members deeply understand each story’s “why,” fostering collective ownership and emotional investment. He believes authentic creativity emerges when every participant grasps the narrative’s deeper purpose. As Ashkan describes it, animation becomes “a collective spiritual endeavor,” where collaboration is essential to storytelling’s depth and authenticity.

Embracing Risk and Vulnerability

Ashkan openly acknowledges the emotional toll of his ambitious vision. Projects like The Last Fiction demanded immense personal and financial risk, often met with disappointment domestically despite international acclaim. Yet Ashkan accepts vulnerability as integral to artistic authenticity. He admits openly: “I’ve struggled with hopelessness, disappointment—but if your passion is strong enough, you endure.”

Indeed, these challenges reinforce Ashkan’s creative courage, prompting continuous evolution. Each setback, rather than deterring him, deepens his resolve. His willingness to embrace risk differentiates him from purely commercial animators, positioning him as an auteur committed to pushing creative boundaries—even when outcomes are uncertain.

Interdisciplinary Influences and Ongoing Evolution

Ashkan’s creative philosophy is distinctly interdisciplinary, shaped by literature, cinema, video games, and historical research. His narratives integrate diverse influences, reflecting deep respect for storytelling across media. This broad cultural foundation enables Ashkan to innovate continually, blending elements from different artistic traditions into compelling new forms.

Furthermore, Ashkan emphasizes lifelong learning and continuous experimentation. Rather than settling into one predictable style, he deliberately explores different animation techniques, narrative structures, and thematic genres. This ongoing evolution ensures each project remains fresh, engaging, and thoughtfully innovative.

Entrepreneurship as Creative Empowerment

Alongside artistic endeavors, Ashkan champions entrepreneurship as a vehicle for creative empowerment. Establishing Hoorakhsh Studios without substantial institutional support required immense entrepreneurial resourcefulness. Ashkan’s early years involved diverse, often unrelated ventures—printing, drafting blueprints—to sustain his animation dream. This pragmatic business acumen, combined with artistic vision, positioned Hoorakhsh uniquely, proving independent creative ecosystems could thrive even amidst structural barriers.

Today, Hoorakhsh represents a model for sustainable, independent creativity. Ashkan takes immense pride in creating employment opportunities, offering meaningful creative careers in a country where such possibilities remain rare. Entrepreneurship, in his view, is inseparable from artistic integrity, each reinforcing the other.

A Legacy of Storytelling and Cultural Identity

Ultimately, Ashkan Rahgozar’s creative journey embodies animation’s profound potential—not merely entertaining audiences, but reshaping how societies understand themselves. Through meticulously crafted mythological and historical narratives, he invites reflection on identity, morality, and human experience itself.

His persistent courage to tell challenging, authentic stories despite obstacles is profoundly inspiring. Ashkan’s legacy transcends individual films or awards, reflecting deeper contributions to storytelling, cultural preservation, and creative community-building. As he continues innovating, mentoring, and pioneering new narratives, Ashkan exemplifies the profound societal impact possible when art remains genuinely heartfelt and purpose-driven.

Final Reflections: Crafting New Mythologies for Modern Times

In each project, Ashkan Rahgozar invites audiences to envision new realities through ancient stories, proving animation’s powerful potential to transform cultural dialogues. His relentless commitment—to storytelling, innovation, authenticity—offers a compelling model for artists worldwide. Ashkan demonstrates vividly how animation, when created with depth, courage, and vision, can profoundly reshape how we perceive ourselves, our histories, and our possibilities.

Through his unique blend of mythology, historical exploration, and bold creativity, Ashkan is not merely animating stories—he is crafting entirely new mythologies, challenging audiences everywhere to see their world differently, more meaningfully, and more imaginatively.