Majid Majidi: ‘We created an Islamic Hollywood’

'Conflict of versions' of Islamic cinema

Mr Majidi, could you tell what sources – Sunni or Shia – you used while creating the film about Prophet?

This film is based on legends about Prophet. Both Sunni and Shia sources were used. I set a goal to unite the Muslim community. This is why I did not think whether it was a Sunni or Shia film. It is a common outlook of the Muslims.

As far as I understand, it is by far more difficult to shoot a film about Prophet. You show him young, his back, arms and hair are seen. Probably you advised with Iranian theologians who are Shia. At the same time, from the Sunni perspective, any image of Prophet is prohibited. How did you decide to show Muhammad? Were not you afraid of the 'conflict of versions'?

As far as I am concerned, there are both folk sources and written Shariat knowledge of theologians. All sources clearly say there is no ban on showing Prophet Muhammad. But there is fear of blemishing his holiness by means of any image: it is not correct to show him and distort the image of him, so that people would have an unpleasant aftertaste. This is why the Muslims prefer not to show him. I will repeat once again: neither Shia nor Sunni sources directly ban to demonstrate the face and appearance of Prophet (haram). We studied it well and advised. But we did not show his blessed face to avoid additional interpretations. In general, I think we can show it. The most important thing is not to deify it. It is such a deep understanding based in written Islam.

Neither Shia nor Sunni sources directly ban to demonstrate the face and appearance of Prophet (haram). We studied it well and advised. But we did not show his blessed face to avoid additional interpretations.

First fruit of Muslim Hollywood

I would argue with you here… However, I would like to know about the shooting. How did the idea of such a film appear? How did you create it?

I should note it has been just the second film about Prophet Muhammad. The first one was shot 42 years ago [Editor's Note: Muhammad: The Messenger of God was shot in 1976 and sponsored by Muammar Gaddafi]. We wanted to make a feature-length film about our Prophet. For this purpose, we built a city, made many decorations in order to show the environment the future Prophet was born more accurately and visually, so that a spectator will pay attention to some details. The goal of the creation of the film is to not only tell about the life of Prophet and demonstrate him somehow but start the renascence of the Muslim cinema. This important film may become a beginning of an authentic Muslim cinema.

You have said you built an entire city with decorations. In general, can we be speaking about some Iranian Hollywood?

You have asked a very interesting question. I let myself continue your thought. We created not only an Iranian Hollywood but an Islamic Hollywood. We had such dreams. By the way, there were much more films about other prophets: Moses, Abraham, Noah and others – 120-150 films. There are about 40 films about Buddha. The smallest number of films is about Prophet Muhammad. Probably this city with its decorations and some infrastructure that we founded will be a beginning of the Muslim Hollywood.

Are you going to continue the shooting of your film? If yes, when will we be able to see it?

Yes, I have a thought to show Prophet's further life and pay attention to some moments of his bio. I don't care who will do it: other directors or me. I don't know the exact time. In brief, this idea of creation of the continuance of this story is in my head.

There were much more films about other prophets: Moses, Abraham, Noah and others – 120-150 films. There are about 40 films about Buddha. The smallest number of films is about Prophet Muhammad.

Strict rules vs freethinking intelligentsia

Iran is supposed to be quite a conservative country with its strict rules. Nevertheless, it is a bit liberal to speak about such a phenomenon as Iranian cinema, which is quite a free art. By the way, it refers to other arts. So how does the conservative state combine with freethinking film directors?

You probably know that the Iranian culture is very ancient. It has several hundreds of years. We have a very ancient literature. Names of such poets as Hafiz, Saadi are probably known around the world. Art, including literature, developed among the people. The culture has never been closely connected with a political regimen, historical period or existing order. Such an art, desire to reveal something unexplored, aspiration for a new thing is in the Iranian people's blood. This is why it is all reflected in cinema. The Iranian cinema is like all culture of Iran: diverse, with many nations and religions. The rich, picturesque Iranian cinema consist of these components.

What does the Russian cinema mean? In your opinion, what directors represent it?

The Russian cinema has a very rich history. Many great films were created in Russia at the beginning of the world cinema. Speaking about modern directors, I highly appreciate Nikita Nikhalkov, Aleksandr Sokurov – they are geniuses. I must note your rich literature, which is a treasury where one can endlessly get knowledge. I admire the Russian literature.

The Iranian cinema is like all culture of Iran: diverse, with many nations and religions. The rich, picturesque Iranian cinema consist of these components.

Majidi Effendi, have you ever been in Kazan?

No, I have not. But the two days I spent in the capital of Tatarstan just amazed me: the beauty of the city, its development, modernity. I have never thought there was such a city. Moreover, it is very big and has an infrastructure. People are awesome here. At the same time I hope I will be able to show this film in Tatarstan. I think we will come to an agreement, so that local people will be able to watch it on TV.