Friday, 11 September 2015

Muhammad: The Messenger of God (film)


Muhammad: The Messenger of God

మాజిద్ మాజిద్ నా అభిమాన ఇరానియన్ దర్శకుడు. ఆయన తీసిన చిల్డ్రన్ ఆఫ్ హెవెన్, బరణ్‍ చాలా సార్లు చూశాను. సున్నితమైన భావోద్వేగాలను తెర మీద చిత్రించడంలో మాజిద్ మాజిద్ కు మహత్తరమైన నైపుణ్యం వుంది. మాజిద్ మాజిద్ కొత్త సినిమా Muhammad: The Messenger of God కూడా ఆ స్థాయిలో వుంటుందని ఆశిస్తాను.


Muhammad: The Messenger of God (film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Muhammad: The Messenger of God
Muhammad - The Messenger of God poster.jpg
Directed byMajid Majidi
Produced byMohammed Mahdi Heidarian
Mohammad Reza Saberi
Written byMajid Majidi
Kambuzia Partovi
StarringMahdi Pakdel
Sareh Bayat
Ra'na Azadivar
Mina Sadati
Music byA. R. Rahman
CinematographyVittorio Storaro
Edited byRoberto Perpignani
Production
company
Noor-e-Taban Film Company Production
Infinite Production Company GmbH
Release dates
February 12, 2015 (Cinema Farhang)
August 27, 2015 (Iran)
August 27, 2015 (Montreal World Film Festival)
Running time
171 minutes[1]
CountryIran
LanguagePersian
Arabic
English
Budget$35 million[2]
Box office$60,000 (opening day in Tehran)[3]
Muhammad: The Messenger of God is a 2015 Islamic epic Iranian film directed by Majid Majidi and co-written with Kambuzia Partovi. The film is set in the sixth century where the story revolves around the childhood of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. The film marks Iran's biggest-budget production to date.[4] Development of Muhammad: The Messenger of God began in 2007 and Majidi wrote the first draft of the screenplay by 2009. By 2011, a colossal set created in the city of Qom near Tehran was ready for the majority of the film. Several scenes were filmed in South Africa. Throughout the filming process, Majidi worked with a team of historians and archaeologists for the work on accuracy of the early life of Prophet Muhammad. Post-production works began inMunich during late 2013 and were completed in 2014. The cinematography is done by Vittorio Storaro and film score is composed by A. R. Rahman.
The film was set to have its premiere at the Fajr International Film Festival on February 1, 2015 but was pulled out due to technical difficulties. For the critics, film-makers and journalists, a special screening was held at Cinema Farhang in Iran on February 12, 2015. The film was released both in Iran and at Montreal World Film Festival on August 27, 2015.

Premise[edit]

By the order of Abraha, King of Habasha, one of his army commanders launches an attack on Mecca in order to destroy the Kaaba. He leads a well-equipped force of thousands of soldiers, horses and elephants. As the army approaches Mecca, the elephants respond to divine order by halting and refusing to continue. Millions of small birds then release a hail of stones onto Abraha’s forces and the army is annihilated. A month later, Muhammad is born. This film depicts the pagan age with all its tyranny and oppression as seen through the eyes of Muhammad from birth to the age of 13.[1]

Cast[edit]

  • Mahdi Pakdel
  • Alireza Shoja Nouri
  • Mohsen Tanabandeh
  • Dariush Farhang
  • Mohammad Asgari
  • Seyed Sadegh Hatefi
  • Sareh Bayat
  • Mina Sadati

Production[edit]

Origin[edit]

In 2006, Majid Majidi's film The Willow Tree was about to have its premiere at the 17th NatFilm Festival. However, the director backed out the screening of the film citing thecontroversy created by the Jyllands-Posten over cartoon depiction of Islamic Prophet–Muhammad.[5] According to Majidi, the publishing insulted the population of Muslim people and disrespected the boundaries of the holy sanctuaries of beliefs.[6] This led him to the idea of making a film on Prophet Muhammad.[7] Later, to make a more practical response to the insulting act of the newspaper, he took up the subject of Prophet of Islam.[7]

Development[edit]

The pre-production began in October 2007 with the first draft for the screenplay ready by March 2009. In early 2011, an enormous set of an estimate 100 hectares area was built near the city Qom.[9] The set resembled sixth-century Mecca and Medina during the early years of the life of Muhammad.[10] A replica of Kaaba shrine was built in the remote village of Mazraeh-ye Allahyar.[11] In October 2011, Majidi officially announced the project, calling it as his 'most ambitious and expensive film project'.[9] He did not hint about the title of the project or its content but he added that it would 'bring pride to Iran and Iranians'. By the following month, filming had commenced and minister of culture and Islamic guidance Mohammad Hosseini confirmed that a movie about Muhammad was being filmed.[9] However, in a turn of events, reports of November 2012, claimed the film was titledMuhammad's Childhood. Further, Mohammad Mehdi Heidarian was announced as the producer. Shining Light (Noor-e-Taban) was the project's financial backer.[9] The cinematographer of the film Vittorio Storaro, arrived in Iran with a 30-man crew. Storato accepted the project after he had a brief discussion about the film with Majidi in Rome.[12]Scott E. Anderson was involved as a visual effects supervisor.[9] Croatian production designer Miljen Kreka Kljakovic directed the art of the film.[10] According to Majidi, he and a research team of historians and archaeologists had consulted with Shia and Sunni scholars from Iran, Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon and Iraq[13] in order to ensure accurate portrayal of Muhammad's early years.[9] Giannetto De Rossi was chosen to provide make up to the characters. Costume designers from Germany, Croatia and Slovenia were chosen in August 2013.[12] While speaking at a press conference, for the creation of a logotype representing Muhammad, Majidi stated that the film intends to fight against any improper image of Islam the West has in mind.[14] The logotype was designed by calligrapher Mohammad Jalil Rasouli.[10] Mohammed Mahdi Heidarian, head of the Noor-e-Taban Film Industry Company Production, confirmed that his firm had spent $40 million on the epic film.[15]

Filming[edit]


The city of Qom where majority of filming took place.
The majority of the filming was done at a set constructed near the city Qom, Iran.[9] Certain scenes requiring elephants[12] were filmed atBela-Bela in South Africa.[4] Most of the filming was done in secrecy and without any news coverage, allowing no journalists to visit or report from filming locations. Further, Majidi talked less to his actors face to face, and mostly they needed to talk to his assistants.[16]
In an interview with Iranian Film Daily, Majidi was quoted saying, "A whole town as well as a full-scale Mecca were recreated down to the most minute detail."[17] The film script depicts Muhammad's adventures through the age of twelve. Majidi added that the film starts with Muhammad's adolescence, and his childhood is shown through flashbacks.[17] The makers chose the period before Muhammad became a prophet.[17] Considering difficulties and Islamic beliefs on the countenance of Muhammad, Majidi stated, "The face of the Prophet is not shown in the film. By hiding his face I will make the character more intriguing for the viewer."[17] To clear the controversies attached with the project, he said, "The film contains no controversies and no differences between the Shia and the Sunni points of view."[17] The story ends with his journey to Syria and encounter with Bahira.[9] Filming was completed by October 2013.[18]

Post-production[edit]

The post-production works began in Munich by the October 2013.[18] In 2014, Majidi revealed that the film would be ready by end of 2014 and would be submitted to the Fajr International Film Festival in Iran.[16] By mid-2014, the film was in the final stages of post-production.[9] In January 2015, work on the special effects and music composition were being carried out.[19] In February 2015, Majidi was in France to resolve issues pertaining to sound-mix engineering.[20]

Release[edit]

In November 2014, director Majid Majidi was appointed as the President of the Jury of 33rd Fajr International Film Festival in Iran.[21] Moreover, the film is set to have its world premiere through the same. However, objections were raised on the film's release due to inclusion of a jury member and his film. In a press conference, a spokesman for theMinistry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Hossein Nooshabadi answered, "I think the films produced about the life of Prophet Muhammad by other filmmakers so far, have a lot of flaws and faults and for the first time in Iranian cinema, such an exemplary work in the Muslim world has been produced by Majid Majidi as a Muslim and professional filmmaker."[22] The film was set to premiere at the opening of 33rd Fajr Film Festival[10] on February 1, 2015. However, the screening was cancelled citing technical difficulties[20][23] with the audio of the film.[13] Majidi clarified that the existing movie theater’s sound environment at Milad Tower in Tehran was incompatible with the film's sound mix.[24]
On February 12, 2015, the film was screened for filmmakers, journalists and film critics at Farhang Theater Hall in Tehran.[4][25][26] The film released at an estimate 143[27]theaters in Iran and premiere at Montreal Film Festival on August 27, 2015.[28] Owing to positive response to premiere, an additional screening was held at Cinema Imperial inMontreal on September 7, 2015.[29]

Critical response[edit]

Iranian film critics praised the film as well. Mostafa Seyedabadi states that the color and lighting in the film was "astonishing".[11] Critic Masoud Farasati dismissed certain film's shots, like a low-angle view of the prophet as a teen against the sky and called it a "Hollywood" knockoff.[11] In a first look review published by The Guardian, the critic gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, stating, "Majidi chronicles the first ripples of this revolutionary wave in a handsome, pre-CGI-era epic style. His film is intellectually honest, committed and poetic."[30] Contrary to the positive review, Alissa Simon of Variety stated, "Although many of Majidi’s earlier films dealt with the spiritual purity that comes with selfless love and deliver a religious rapture of sorts, “Muhammad: The Messenger of God” feels stiff and awkward, burdened rather than elevated by its weighty subject matter. And it doesn’t help that the characters remain cardboard cutouts of historical figures, never attaining any psychological or emotional life."[31]

Criticism[edit]

The film met with widespread criticism prior to its theatrical release, predominantly from Sunni Arab countries.[11] In February 2015, Egypt's Al-Azhar University called on Iran to ban the film. According to the University, the film describes debasing of the sanctity of messengers from God.[11]

Music[edit]

The film score is composed by A. R. Rahman. His inclusion in the project was confirmed in May 2014.[32] It took six months for A. R. Rahman to understand the kind of score that Majid Majidi wanted for "Muhammad: The Messenger of God".[33][34] He worked on the score for a year and a half.[35] Singer Sami Yusuf has recorded a track for the film.[36] In November 2014, Rahman recorded the Le Trio Joubran for the score.[37] Further sessions of recording with the trio were held in Paris by February 2015.[38] Geoff Foster co-produced the motion picture score with Rahman.[39] The score comprises experimental melodies and rhythms.[40] A. R. Rahman and his team recorded the music across five countries including India, Iran, Germany, France and Egypt with 200 musicians.[41]

Sequel[edit]

The producers of the film have planned two sequels that would complete the trilogy of films. The sequel one would focus on Muhammad's life from his teenage years to his 40s. The next one would depict life after 40s until when he ultimately becomes the Prophet of Islam.[25]



gavuli 1 week ago
I saw the movie yesterday in cinema, it was really great. The cinematic were incredible. The musics used on the film (by A.R.Rahman ) bring it to the next level! I was a fan of Hobbit and Lord before this movie, but i can tell you that this movie in almost all aspect is as good as them with a simple difference which is that the historic behind it is totally true! that makes a really great feeling. I cried in a lot of scenes of it and goosebumps in the miracles scenes. I repeat that the best positive point of the movie is the music which has been successfully joined with the film.
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Cavid Hummatov 1 week ago
+gavuli hi friend, as you watched movie could you tell me who was playin the main role Prophet Muhammad?
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gavuli 1 week ago
It's unknown.
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gavuli 3 weeks ago (edited)
Don't forget to watch the 5 new official launch trailer of the movie which has been released on the channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrV9mos-Z5I&index=8&list=PLBe6kOVplp1QVeYKg9tVzY-mMqL5Zw1_X
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Ganyang Birokrat Korup 2 weeks ago
+gavuli Ini adalah film yang wajib di tonton oleh FPI dan ormas2 islam di Indonesia yang suka bikin keruh suasana...
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Fahad Amir 1 week ago
+gavuli ===========Masha Allah, many great people have done  very good job, this was an impossible task in this problematical  era of Islam, and problems in Islamic groups and evil shadow on Islam, may Allah give them strength , safety and respect. thank you great IRAN, Allah bless Islamic Republic of IRAN and the IRANIANS.
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Fatwa against A R Rahman and Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi for film on Prophet

Fatwa against A R Rahman and Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi for film on Prophet

The fatwa, issued by Raza Academy, demands that Muslims reject Majidi’s film titled ‘Muhammad: Messenger of God’ — first of the trilogy on the life of Prophet Mohammad.


A R Rahman, Fatwa, Iranian filmmaker, Majid Majidi, A R Rehman Fatwa, Prophet Mohammad film, Majid Majidi fatwa, mumbai news
A Mumbai-based Sunni Muslim group has issued a fatwa against celebrated Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi and Indian music composer A R Rahman.

A Mumbai-based Sunni Muslim group has issued a fatwa against celebrated Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi and Indian music composer A R Rahman.

The fatwa, issued by Raza Academy, demands that Muslims reject Majidi’s film titled ‘Muhammad: Messenger of God’ — first of the trilogy on the life of Prophet Mohammad. Last week, the group had written to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking a ban on Majidi’s film.

In the fatwa, they cite as the reason the Prophet’s word that no visual or picture of him be created or kept. The fatwa claims the film makes a mockery of Islam, and professional actors, including some non-Muslims, have been cast in the key roles.

The fatwa adds that the Muslims working on the film, especially Majidi and Rahman, have thus committed sacrilege and will have to read the kalma again and also solemnise their marriage again. Despite repeated attempts, Rahman remained unavailable for comment.

mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com

- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/fatwa-against-a-r-rahman-majid-majidi-for-film-on-prophet/#sthash.jftqkiDN.dpuf
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