Ancient hero's flick goes viral worldwide

Iran animation ‘I’m a Champion’ has gone viral, as both fans and experts heed the animation.

Young animators from the city of Kermanshah, are enjoying the heyday of their performance after years of hard work, now that their viral flick is spreading across the global network.

‘I’m a Champion’ takes place in early 19th century, coinciding with the rule of the Qajar dynasty in Iran, and the locations mirror the architecture of that era, carefully adapted using photos and remnants of old building back then in the city of Kermanshah, western Iran.

It depicts the story of Farhad, a young wrestler of the time, whose resolve to compete for championship after a long training period faces an obstacle; his rival, Borzoo adopts an unfair approach during their match and hurts Farhad. Then, a wise man helps him restore his health and go back to the mat; to everyone’s surprise, Farhad’s surprise behavior baffles everybody.

Value-themed, and in the context of the worries and viewpoints of the society almost one-and-a-half century ago, the movie, which comes in 12 episodes, accentuates morality, a deep cultural value commended by the Iranian civilization.

Amir Mohammadi, the producer, told reporters that being a champion not only entails a strong physique, but it also demands ones acquisition of noble traits, and that the movie tries to manifest the cultural value.

Directed by Kamran Rezaei, the flick is screenplayed by Mohsen Moradi, it took 3 years to bring the pre-production phase to a close, and 2 years for the final work to conclude, and a crew of 50 was involved in the project.

The success has inspired a sequel, Mohammadi noted, which will enjoy a better quality as the team has already got the know-how to produce a state-of-the-art part II.

And here’s a couple of paintings from Qajar era, Iran.

MF/MF