TEHRAN – The Iran-Turkey joint film “Intoxicated by Love” directed by Iranian director Hassan Fat’hi will be released in Turkey and Europe in October.

The film was screened in Iran last year. After a long wait for international release, it will premiere in Turkey and 10 European countries from October 17, ISNA reported.

Produced by Mehran Boroumand and Hassan Alizadeh, “Intoxicated by Love” attracted more than two million Iranian viewers and achieved 1200 billion rials ($1.2 million) at the local box office, making it the fifth highest-grossing film of the year and also the highest-grossing non-comedy film in the history of Iranian cinema by then.

The filmmakers expect that the Turkish release of “Intoxicated by Love,” thanks to cultural ties between Iran and Turkey regarding Rumi and the shared admiration for this great mystical poet, will repeat its domestic box office success.

The movie will be screened in 250 theaters in Turkey, with the number of cinemas increasing over time. According to the producers, release contracts have also been signed for Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, and Jordan, as well as East Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and India, plus Russia, Canada, the U.S., and South American countries. The release dates for these regions will be announced soon.

The biographical historical drama, which was shot in Konya, Turkey, tells the story of the great Iranian poet Molana Jalal ad-Din Rumi, his friendship with the wandering sage Shams Tabrizi, who later became the mentor of Rumi in the 13th century CE.

The movie chronicles the love Rumi had for Shams and the great influence of Shams over Rumi in his life, his poetry, and his love for God.

Rumi undertook journeys to Syria, during one of which he met the dervish, Shams. He was deeply influenced by Shams during their second visit to Konya, and for months, the two men constantly interacted, and as a result, Rumi neglected his disciples and family, who could not tolerate the close relationship. 

One night in 1247, Shams disappeared forever. This experience turned Rumi into a poet. The Divan of Shams is a true translation of his experiences into poetry.

Celebrated Iranian actors Parsa Pirouzfar and Shahab Hosseini star as Rumi and Shams, respectively, while Turkish TV star Hande Erçel plays the role of Kimia, Rumi’s stepdaughter and Shams’ lover.

Turkish actors Ibrahim Çelikkol, Selma Ergeç, Boran Kuzum, Burak Tozkoparan, Bensu Soral, and Iranian actor Hesam Manzur are the other cast members.

The soundtrack features well-known Iranian traditional vocalist Alireza Ghorbani performing a mystical poem by Rumi, with an original score composed by renowned Turkish musician Fahir Atakoğlu.

“Intoxicated by Love” was written by Fat’hi himself and his fellow Iranian writer Farhad Tohidi in consultation with Mohammad-Ali Movahhed, a top Iranian expert on Rumi.

Fat’hi, 64, is one of the most well-known and successful Iranian directors, best known for his popular historical TV series including “Heroes Never Die,” “Lighter Than Darkness,” “Zero Degree Turn,” “Tenth Night,” “Shahrzad,” and “Jeyran”.

SS/SAB