‘Ditch your cell phone in enlightenment?’

Iranian documentary ‘Heavens’ by Majid Karimi to focus on pilgrims who forego all electronic devices while on journey to the holy city of Mashhad.

Iranian actor and director Majid Karimi’s ‘Heavens’ focuses on a special group of visitors to the shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in Mashhad, who willingly abandon all their electronic devices for three days while paying tribute to Shia’s first Imam, Ali (AS).

Karimi and his crew are currently filming in Mashhad during Imam Ali’s (AS) birth anniversary, which was held on March 31 this year.

‘Heavens’ documents the special relationship between organizers of the shrine of Imam Reza (AS) and some 1,000 to 2,000 devotees who make up the group.

Consisting of people from all walks of life – poor, rich, abandoned, widowed, unemployed, repentant, et al – the group is unique in that all members have decided to abandon their electronic devices while making the pilgrimage.

The move begs the question, among others: can electronic devices hinder a person’s efforts to gain enlightenment of this world and the next, particularly with the power of prayer to God?

In turn, organizers of the shrine of Imam Reza (AS) provide special charities to members of the group in need.

Born in the central Iranian city of Khomein, Karimi studied art and architecture as well as cinema. He has authored several books, including the methods of Russian theater practitioner Konstantin Stanislavski.

Karimi has directed and produced several TV series, documentaries, movies and short films.

His most notable works include directing TV series ‘Timareh’ (2007) starring Iranian actor Daryoush Arjmand, and currently acting in TV drama ‘Banooyeh Sardar’ by director Parvis Sheikh Tadi.

AI/AI