Shi'i Islam in Iranian cinema : religion and spirituality in film / Nacim Pak-Shiraz.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pak-Shiraz, Nacim.

Series:

International library of cultural studies ; 17.

International library of cultural studies ; 17

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Motion pictures--Iran.

Motion pictures.

Islam in motion pictures.

Motion pictures--Religious aspects--Islam.

Iran.

Physical Description:

xvi, 239 pages ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : I.B. Tauris, 2011.

Summary:

In recent years there has been a remarkable surge in Iranian films expressing contentious issues which would otherwise be very difficult to discuss publicly inside the Islamic Republic of Iran -- such as the role of clergy in Iranian society. Nacim Pak-Shiraz here highlights how many Iranian film directors concern themselves with the content of the religious and historical narratives of culture and society, sparking debate about the medium's compatibility or incongruity with religion and spirituality. She explores the various ways that Shi'i discourse emerges on screen, and offers groundbreaking insights into both the role of film in Iranian culture and society, and how it has become a medium for exploring what it means to be Iranian and Muslim after thirty years of Islamic rule. This is invaluable reading students and scholars of Film Studies and contemporary Iranian cinema, but also of the culture and identity of Iran more widely.

Contents:

Introduction 1

Approaches to the Study of Religion and Spirituality in Western Cinema 4

Shi'i Islam in Iranian Cinema 10

1 Shi'ism in Iran: An Historical Overview 15

The Appeal of Shi'ism in Iran and the Foundations of Twelver Shi'ism 17

The Twelver Shi'i State of Iran and the Shi'i Ulama 23

Conclusions 32

2 Contemporary Iranian Discourses on Religion and Spirituality in Cinema 35

Cinemas Introduction into a Muslim Society 40

Cinemas Place within Islamic Jurisprudence 43

The Paradox of Cinema as a 'Technological Art' 46

Cinema as a Domain for Religious and Spiritual Discourse 53

Conclusions 64

3 Filmic Discourses on the Role of the Clergy in Iran 67

Resistance to Monopolising Islam 71

Parables on the World of the Clergy 75

Morals and Values 85

Conclusions 91

4 Sight, Sound and Sufism: Mystical Islam in Majidi's Films 93

The Mystical Approach 96

Pain and Suffering 101

Self-Sacrifice and the Alchemy of Love 110

Conclusions 119

5 Cinema as a Reservoir for Cultural Memory 123

The Figure of Husayn and Iranian Shi'i Identity 129

Ta'ziyeh: the only Islamic Drama 136

Beyzaie: a Film-maker Rooted in 'Historical Genealogy' 144

Ta'ziyeh and its Spectators 159

Conclusions 163

6 Thinking Films: Kiarostami, A Poetic Philosopher 167

Philosophy in Film 170

Kiarostami, a 'Poetic Philosopher' 172

Reading Life and Death in Kiarostami's Films 180

Conclusions 191.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [215]-226) and index.

Includes filmography (pages [227]-229).

ISBN:

9781848855106

1848855109

OCLC:

756900096