“I am a dependent filmmaker. I am a man of the system. … I thank Owj [Arts and Media] Organization. They work hard and deserve the title of ‘The unknown soldiers of Imam Mahdi.’ I am honored to have made a film for ‘the defenders of the shrine’ [Iranian-led soldiers in Syria]. I am proud to have received an award from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC] and Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani for making this film.” 

Iranian director Ebrahim Hatamikia made these comments at the 36th International Fajr Film Festival in Tehran last month. During the event, Hatamikia received the award for best director as well as best music and best sound mix for his film “Damascus Time.” The movie narrates the story of two Iranian pilots who are on a mission to save the people of the Syrian city of Palmyra from the Islamic State by transporting them to Damascus.

The movie has been praised by prominent Iranians, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who hailed it as a "masterpiece," and IRGC Quds Force commander Soleimani, who kissed Hatamikia on the forehead after seeing the film.

“Damascus Time” was made with the financial support of Owj Arts and Media Organization, which was set up as a nongovernmental organization in the spring of 2011. In recent years, Owj has played a prominent role in Iranian cinematic and television productions. However, there has been constant speculation about the source of its funding.