TEHRAN- An Iranian mukab on the route from Najaf to Karbala will offer daily screenings of films eight times a day for Arbaeen pilgrims.

Organized by the Bahman Sabz Cultural and Advertising Institute in collaboration with the Basij Organization of Tehran Municipality, the Ali ibn Musa al-Reza (AS) Mukab will host the event titled “Arbaeen Cinema.”

The "Arbaeen Cinema" initiative will present four cinematic screenings over a twelve-day period, from August 14 to 24, offering Arbaeen pilgrims a chance to enjoy these artistic works along the walking route.

This initiative aims to provide cultural and artistic services to pilgrims from Iran and other countries during the Arbaeen observance.

Four films, representing genres such as biography, history, and children's entertainment, have been selected for mobile screenings. The lineup includes "Passion of Love," directed by Dariush Yari, “Okht-o-Reda” by Seyyed Mojtaba Tabatabai, "Henas" by Hossein Darabi, and the animated film "Ilya in Search of a Hero" by Seyyed Ali Mousavi-Nejad.

"Passion of Love" narrates the poignant journey of the Karbala captives as they travel from Kufa to Sham. The story centers around Selma, a woman entrusted with the vital role of acting as the voice for the caravan of Karbala prisoners, particularly for Hazrat Zainab (SA). Selma is determined to educate and enlighten those who have been misled by Shimer and his deceived agents. Her mission is to ensure that the distinction between the oppressor and the martyr remains clear, preventing the truth from becoming obscured once again. As she raises the flag of Imam Hossein (AS) and leads the caravan alongside Hazrat Zeinab (SA), Selma ultimately becomes one of the loyal companions of Karbala, embodying the spirit of resilience and resistance.

“Okht-o-Reda” (“Reza’s Sister”) portrays the journey of Hazrat Masumeh (SA), the sister of Imam Reza (AS), who traveled from Medina to Khorasan in 815 CE to reunite with her brother. Ordered by the Abbasid caliph Mamun, her caravan was intercepted in Saveh, where many of her companions were killed. Hazrat Masumeh (SA) fell seriously ill, prompting her to seek refuge in Qom. The Shia community warmly welcomed her, but she ultimately succumbed to her illness on November 9, 816 CE, and was buried in Qom, following the earlier deaths of her brothers at Mamun's command.

“Henas” is a drama that portrays the true story of the assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist who was shot dead by Mossad gunmen. It is the final episode in the life of Dariush Rezainejad, the 35-year-old Iranian nuclear scientist who was shot dead by Mossad gunmen before the eyes of his wife and little girl in front of his house in Tehran in July 2011. The movie portrays the terrorist attack through the eyes of his wife.

"Ilya in Search of a Hero" follows 11-year-old Arash, Iran's representative in the virtual reality game "In Search of a Hero". As the game progresses, Arash realizes that his family's safety is at stake. The game simulates the historic conquest of the Khaybar Fortress by Imam Ali (AS), conveying deeper truths to children. As Arash faces challenges, he must navigate his father's disapproval of the game, which he believes distorts history. With his father's forbidding, Arash encounters Michael, whose true identity holds crucial implications for his family's fate within the virtual realm.

The Bahman Sabz mobile screening initiative is an effort to create a new audience platform for Iranian cinematic and documentary works in areas lacking cinemas across the country. This endeavor aims to enhance the cultural offerings in underserved regions that do not have access to cinema halls while simultaneously expanding the audience reach, locations, and geographical diversity of film screenings. 

The Arbaeen walk is the world's largest annual peaceful gathering, where millions of Shia Muslims from around the world walk towards the holy city of Karbala to commemorate the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions in the battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Mukabs provide a crucial resting place to provide food, drink, and shelter to the Arbaeen walkers during their journey to Karbala.

SAB/