Children of the Prophet

Imam Hossein was the grandson of the prophet Mohammad, and each year, Shiite Muslims grandly commemorate his death as a martyr in 680 A.D. This film follows four different groups of Shiites in contemporary Tehran during the 10-day Moharram mourning period (the first 10 days of the first month on the Islamic calendar), which concludes with commemorative festivities called Ashura. The Islamic Republic of Iran has by far the most Shiites in the Muslim world, and no other country practises the rituals like Iran. The film looks at the Moharram from the perspective of average citizens of Tehran. Meanwhile, an old Muslim man uses old texts and pictures to explain the Battle of Karbala, in which Imam Hossein and 71 companions were killed. It turns out that everyone experiences this ceremonial period differently. For non-orthodox youngsters, the Moharram is mainly an opportunity to meet members of the opposite sex. A middle-aged woman puts her energy into the preparation of a large feast. Spiritual leaders make an appeal not to behave in any extreme manner - as it is, the international community is already inclined to consider Iranian society barbaric. People are reluctant to talk about politics, but in Tehran, the friction between tradition and modern times is crystal clear.