I discovered this film shortly after seeing "The Messenger". Initially, I thought it would be a kind of Iranian remake of that film, already a few years old, but in fact it ends up working almost like a prequel, as the events of this film happen before those reported in the older film. There is no relationship between the two films, I am merely comparing them, and I believe it is a pertinent exercise: even without a direct relationship between them apart from the theme and some characters, I felt that the two films complement each other very well. In both, the figure of Muhammad is never shown.
Directed by Majid Majidi, this film tells us how Muhammad, the prophet of the Islamic faith, came into the world and how his birth and life path had been prophesied and were eagerly awaited. I think the script went a little overboard in reporting Muhammad's miracles. At one point, Majidi seems to be competing with western Christian films. Another problem with this film is it's potential anti-Semitism.
The cast is full of good actors, but none of them are known to me: as for almost everyone in the West, Arab or Persian actors are illustrious strangers to my eyes. I especially liked Mahdi Pakdel and Mina Sadati. They are very competent and she is a beautiful actress with a calm voice. Dariush Farhang appears little, but he does his job well and Mohsen Tanabandeh was a competent villain, within the cliché role he had to play.
Technically, the film was better than I expected: cinematography is excellent, with exquisite film work, excellent visual effects, CGI and great colors. It is noted that an effort was made to make the film a work capable of meeting the European and American films. The result is a film capable of being an authentic ambassador for Iranian and Persian cinema. The sets and costumes are historically credible and seem authentic, and the scenes in the desert, with the sands, the sun, the precipices and the harsh and inclement nature, make the film look even more beautiful and more eloquent. All of this is complemented by a vast set of extras, dressed in rigor, and even animals. The effort to faithfully recreate the era in all its details was really taken seriously. The sound effects are very good and the music plays its role satisfactorily. A quality Muslim film, and one that does not lag behind the best productions in the West.
Directed by Majid Majidi, this film tells us how Muhammad, the prophet of the Islamic faith, came into the world and how his birth and life path had been prophesied and were eagerly awaited. I think the script went a little overboard in reporting Muhammad's miracles. At one point, Majidi seems to be competing with western Christian films. Another problem with this film is it's potential anti-Semitism.
The cast is full of good actors, but none of them are known to me: as for almost everyone in the West, Arab or Persian actors are illustrious strangers to my eyes. I especially liked Mahdi Pakdel and Mina Sadati. They are very competent and she is a beautiful actress with a calm voice. Dariush Farhang appears little, but he does his job well and Mohsen Tanabandeh was a competent villain, within the cliché role he had to play.
Technically, the film was better than I expected: cinematography is excellent, with exquisite film work, excellent visual effects, CGI and great colors. It is noted that an effort was made to make the film a work capable of meeting the European and American films. The result is a film capable of being an authentic ambassador for Iranian and Persian cinema. The sets and costumes are historically credible and seem authentic, and the scenes in the desert, with the sands, the sun, the precipices and the harsh and inclement nature, make the film look even more beautiful and more eloquent. All of this is complemented by a vast set of extras, dressed in rigor, and even animals. The effort to faithfully recreate the era in all its details was really taken seriously. The sound effects are very good and the music plays its role satisfactorily. A quality Muslim film, and one that does not lag behind the best productions in the West.