‘Prophet Moses’ breaks tech ground in Iranian cinema

The epic film ‘Prophet Moses’ has become a standout success in Iran’s film industry, grossing more than 250 billion rials (~$25,000) since its Nowruz season debut on February 28.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ebrahim Hatamikia and produced by Seyyed Mahmoud Razavi, the film focuses on the early life of the Prophet Moses and has been hailed as a technological breakthrough in Iranian cinema.

Made by advanced virtual production technology, the film blends physical and digitally rendered sets using large LED screens and real-time 3D environments, an approach previously seen in international productions like the series ‘1899’.

In an interview with local media, cinematography director Touraj Mansouri emphasized that this technique not only reduces the need for large-scale physical sets but also enhances actors' performances by allowing them to interact with realistic surroundings rather than green screens.

According to Mansouri, the film served as a pilot for an upcoming 52-episode TV series that will chronicle the life of Prophet Moses from before his birth.

The project has required importing specialized equipment and knowledge through trips to countries like Turkey and the UAE, introducing the technology to Iran through reverse engineering despite logistical hurdles.

Premiered at the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival, ‘Prophet Moses’ earned five awards, including best supporting actor, best makeup, best costume design, best set design, and best visual effects.

The cast features prominent actors, including Merila Zarei, Alireza Kamali, Bahnam Tashakkor, Bahareh Kian-Afshar, Farhad Ayeesh, and Shakib Shajareh.

Following the film’s success, production for the series adaptation is expected to begin soon.