Capturing spirit of Ashura through Iranian cinema perspective - Part 3

Ashura, a profound moment in Islamic history, commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his 72 loyal companions, who selflessly sacrificed their lives for truth and justice.

The rituals and reenactments of Muharram have been a great source of inspiration for Iranian filmmakers, turning Ashura into a poignant and cherished theme in their artistic works.

Preserving this invaluable heritage in the contemporary world necessitates dedicated efforts, and cinema has emerged as a powerful medium to capture the essence of this historical event and bring it to life on the silver screen.

In the wake of the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian film industry has played a vital role in producing a collection of unforgettable films that revolve around the Ashura incident.

Let us now embark on a journey to explore these cinematic creations that continue to leave a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.

.

1. ‘The Mukhtar Narrative’ by Davoud Mir-Baqeri 

'The Mukhtar Narrative' stands as a monumental television project in Iranian history to this day.

Based on authentic historical documents, it chronicles the events leading to the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and delves into the sixteen years of Mukhtar's life. The series encompasses the death of Muawiyah, the rise of Yazid, and the events culminating in Ashura, including the uprising of Mukhtar and the martyrdom of him and his companions.

With production spanning from 2004 to 2009, 'The Mukhtar Narrative' marks a successful endeavor by Mir-Baqeri, following the tremendous achievement of 'Imam Ali (AS)' years earlier.

The series, released in 2010, boasted an impressive cast of over 140 talented Iranian actors.

In a scene from the series, we witness the enemies scheming to murder Imam Hussein (AS) while he is deep in prayer.

Shimr ibn Dhil and Umar ibn Saad contemplate whether to postpone the battle, allowing Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions to perform their prayers at Karbala. Tragically, the enemy forces ultimately encircle and martyr Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions, resulting in a heart-wrenching and unfair confrontation, with 72 standing defiant against an army of 30,000.

2. ‘The Green Journey’ by Mohammad-Hossein Latifi

One of the most impressive Iranian series highlighting the importance of Ashura is the 18-episode 'The Green Journey.'

The main character, a young man named Daniel, embarks on a journey back to his motherland, which becomes an extraordinary voyage of self-discovery.

Daniel encounters God-fearing people during his green journey, and despite their accomplishments, they wholeheartedly trust in the Almighty, never hesitating to pray for their wishes.

Among these acquaintances is Haj Reza, a wealthy man who faithfully holds ceremonies in honor of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) during the month of Muharram. He firmly believes in the power of God's granting prayers.

3. ‘Heyhaat’ by Hadi Naeeji, Danesh Eqbashavi, Rouhollah Hajazi, and Hadi Moghaddam-Doust

‘Heyhaat’ is a 2015 film, comprising four gripping episodes, thoughtfully brought to you by Ouj Art and Media Organization.

With a profound religious and spiritual theme, 'Heyhaat' delves into the modern-day connections people hold with the timeless culture and spirit of Ashura.

Each episode masterfully unfolds a distinct aspect of this powerful bond, making for an inspiring and deeply moving cinematic experience.

4. ‘Evening of the Tenth Day’ by Mojtaba Raee

At its core, 'Heyhaat', made in 2009, revolves around the journey of Dr. Maryam Shirazi who, along with a group of Red Crescent doctors, travels to Iraq to aid the people.

Determined to search for her missing sister, she embarks on a journey during the American presence in Iraq.

In the movie, Dr. Shirazi's quest to find her lost sister leads her into compelling and adventurous situations.

In portions of 'Heyhaat,' the storyline unfolds in Karbala, the sacred burial place of Imam Hussein (AS), infusing the narrative with a profound religious essence and evolutionary depth.

5. ‘Karbala: The Geography of a History’ by Daryiush Yari

‘Karbala: The Geography of a History’ is a cinematic documentary released in 2014, offering a unique perspective on the uprising of Imam Hussein (AS) and its profound influence on the culture and lifestyle of Shia Muslims spanning from the past to the present.

This documentary artfully combines elegy recitation (Tazieh), storytelling (Naghali), animation, and various visual techniques employed by the director to vividly narrate the tragic events of Ashura.

Shahab Hosseini provides the captivating narration, while Majid Entezami composes the film's evocative original score.

The film gained recognition at the 33rd Fajr Film Festival and the 9th edition of the "Cinema Verite" festival. It received the prestigious Best Research and Investigation Documentary award at the ‘Forty Lanterns" Festival and secured nominations for Best Film and Best Artistic Achievements at the same festival.

Further acclaim came as ‘Karbala: The Geography of a History’ earned the grand prize at the Karbala Film Festival.

The end

For more parts:

Capturing spirit of Ashura through Iranian cinema perspective - Part 1

Capturing spirit of Ashura through Iranian cinema perspective - Part 2

MM/MM