Muhammad (2015 film)

Muhammad is an upcoming 2015 Iranian film directed by Majid Majidi. The story revolves around the childhood of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The film marks Iran's biggest-budget production to date^[2] and is the first part of the planned trilogy on the life of the Prophet. Barring a few scenes filmed in South Africa, the majority of the filming was done at a colossal set created in the city of Qom near Tehran. The film was officially announced in October 2011 and its filming was completed by 2013. The cinematography is done by Vittorio Storaro and film score is composed by A. R. Rahman.

Cast

• Sareh Bayat
• Mohsen Tanabandeh
• Mahdi Pakdel
• Ra'na Azadivar
• Ali Reza Shoja-Noori
• Mohammad Asgari
• Mina Sadati
• Siamak Adib
• Sadegh Hatefi

Production

Development

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 100 hectares area was built near the city Qom.^[5] It was composed of places resembling sixth-century Mecca and Medina during the early years of the life of Muhammad.^[6]Replica Kaaba shrine was built in the remote village of Mazraeh-ye Allahyar.^[7]In October 2011, Majidi announced the project, calling it as his "most ambitious and expensive film project".^[5] Though he did not hint about the title and its content, he stated that the project would "bring pride to Iran and Iranians". By the following month, filming had begun and minister of culture and Islamic guidance Mohammad Hosseini confirmed that a movie about Muhammad was being filmed.^[5] However, in a turn of events, reports of November 2012, claimed the film was titled Muhammad's Childhood. Further, Mohammad Mehdi Heidarian was announced as the producer. Shining Light (Nour-e Taabaan), was named as the project's financial backer but backed out from the project for unknown reasons.^[5] Vittorio Storaro was roped in as the cinematographer who arrived in Iran with a 30-man crew. Storato accepted the project after he and Majidi had a brief discussion about the film in Rome.^[8] Scott E. Anderson was involved as a visual effects supervisor.^[5] Croatian production designer Miljen Kreka Kljakovic directed the art of the film.^[6] 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^[9] in order to ensure accurate portrayal of Muhammad's early years.^[5] Giannetto De Rossi was chosen to provide make up to the characters. Costume designers from Germany, Croatia and Slovenia were chosen in August 2013.^[8] While speaking at a press conference held for the first international festival, 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.^[10] The logotype was designed by calligrapher Mohammad Jalil Rasouli.^[6]

Filming

Majority of the filming was done at a set constructed near the city Qom, Iran.^[5] Certain scenes requiring elephants^[8]were filmed at Bela-Bela in South Africa.^[2] 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.^[11]

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."^[1] 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.^[1] The makers chose the period before Muhammad became a prophet.^[1] Considering difficulties and Islamic beliefs on the portrayal of the face 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."^[1] 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."^[1] The story ends with his journey to Syria and encounter with Bahira.^[5] Filming was completed by October 2013.^[12]

Post-production

The post-production works began in Munich by the October 2013.^[12] 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.^[11] By mid-2014, the film was in the final stages of post-production.^[5] In January 2015, work on the special effects and music composition were being carried out.^[13] In February 2015, Majidi was in France to resolve issues pertaining to sound-mix engineering.^[14]

Release

In November 2014, director Majid Majidi was appointed as the President of the Jury of 33rd Fajr International Film Festival in Iran.^[15] 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 the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Hossein Nooshabadi answered, "I think the films produced about the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 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."^[16]The film was set to premiere at the opening of 33rd Fajr Film Festival^[6] on February 1, 2015. However, the screening was cancelled citing technical difficulties^[17][14] with the audio of the film.^[9]Majidi clarified that the existing movie theater’s sound environment at Milad Tower in Tehran was incompatible with the film's sound mix.^[18]

On February 12, 2015, the film was screened for filmmakers, journalists and film critics at Farhang Theater Hall in Tehran.^[4]

Critical response

Iranian film critics praised the film as well. Mostafa Seyedabadi states that the color and lighting in the film was "astonishing".^[7]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.^[7]

Criticism

The film met with widespread criticism prior to its theatrical release, predominantly from Sunni Arab countries.^[7] 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.^[7]

Music

The film score is composed by A. R. Rahman. His inclusion in the project was confirmed in May 2014.^[19] It took six months for A. R. Rahman to understand the kind of score that Majid Majidi wanted for "Muhammad".^[20][21]He worked on the score for a year and a half.^[22] Singer Sami Yusuf has recorded a track for the film.^[23] In November 2014, Rahman recorded the Le Trio Joubran for the score.^[24] Further sessions of recording with the trio were held in Paris by February 2015.^[25] Geoff Foster co-produced the motion picture score with Rahman.^[26]The score comprises experimental melodies and rhythms.^[27]

Sequel

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.^[4]

References

External links

• Muhammad at the Internet Movie Database