This article profiles Ovanes Ohanian, who directed Iran’s first feature film and established its first acting school for cinema in the early 20th century. It analyzes Ohanian’s opaque history, disputed accomplishments, and an eclectic career that oscillated between highs like corresponding with Hollywood figures, to questionable ventures like attempting film projects in India before facing detainment over alleged Nazi ties. Tracing Ohanian’s filmmaking origins to his studies in 1920s Moscow and innovations in early Turkmen cinema, examination sheds light on his artistic ambitions within Iran’s movie industry. Discussion assesses pioneering works like 1930’s “Abi o Rabi” and 1931’s “Haji Agha Actor-e Cinema” in context of their financial failures, situating Ohanian as an eager cinematic risk-taker whose trailblazing collided with commercial limitations. Ultimately, the article aims to unravel the enigmatic story of this founding father of Iranian film.