TEHRAN -- Iranian religious-themed blockbuster “The Kingdom of Solomon” took the first-place award at Iraq’s Jewar Film Festival on Wednesday, picking up two prizes including best movie and director.

The first international film festival of Iraq also honored Iraqi-Kurdish film “The Initial Strike” by handing it the second award.
The big-budget “The Kingdom of Solomon” by director Shahriar Bahrani is produced by the Farabi Cinematic Foundation and features the life of Prophet Solomon (AS) based on narrations from the Holy Quran.
According to producer Mojtaba Faravardeh, the budget spent on the project is 50 billion rials (about $50m). “I believe ‘Kingdom of Solomon’ is the first time a digital film made with the latest modern technology has been experienced in the country”, he had once said in a previous interview.
In addition, “Farewell Baghdad”, Iran’s submission to the Academy Awards shared the third place award with the Iraqi -Kurdish film “Scarecrows Alley”.
The festival kicked off on December 4 at the National Theater Hall in Baghdad with the participation of Iraqi, Iranian and Turkish films.
“The Kingdom of Solomon” is still on silver screens across the country having earned about $2.7m. Young actor Amin Zendegani plays the role of Solomon (AS). Mahmud Pakniyyat, Mehdi Faqih, Hossein Mahjub and Elham Hamidi are among the cast members.
Photo: Amin Zendegani (R) plays Prophet Solomon (AS) in “The Kingdom of Solomon”.