Cast & crew

A film by Ali Banaei

Editor, Colorist, Sound Editor/ Ali Esmaeilian

Director's Assistant and Photographer/ Mohammad Sajad Aghajani

Music by/ Mohammad Reza Gandomkar

Graphic Designer/ Hamid Karami and koshna shahrokhi and zahra hamami

Translator/ Pedram Gharehbaghi

Character/ Habibollah Maleki

Moein Alboka'

Director, Producer and Researcher: Ali Banaei

Cinematographer: Ali Banaei

Statement

My first encounter with Ta'zia was at the age of six...

I went with my parents to see this amazing show, which is one of the most authentic Asian shows; At that age, I did not know that this show is 3000 years old and that Iranians invented it;

my country; Due to the rule of Islamic states in history, Iran has always witnessed traditions and religious ceremonies for religious people in society, and one of the most important religious events is the month of Muharram. An event that unconsciously involves all people! Muharram days are days of mourning for Hossein, the grandson of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam.

Fifteen years before making this documentary, I was lost in the crowd from the excitement of seeing this show; Regardless of the absence of my parents, I stood there watching the performance and all the time, I was following the performers and those involved with my eyes, like my camera in a documentary that is lost in that space, I was looking for people.

Ever since I was a child, I have always wondered what kind of person manages this great performance and this huge amount of stage and actors? Years passed and my life experience in religious environments made me fully understand Islamic culture.

Despite the beauty that lies in this religious-traditional performance art, I decided to record it so that the interested people of the world can see this event.

Moein Al-Boka's documentary is the missing child in the crowd!

This work is a behind-the-scenes report of an important and big show called Ta'zia.