A replica of Mecca in Saudi Arabia built for the Iranian movie “Mohammad, Messenger of God”. The set is in Allahyar village 70 kilometers south of the capital Tehran, Iran. It will serve as the setting for future movies on the history of Islam, according to director Majid Majidi.

A replica of Mecca in Saudi Arabia built for the Iranian movie “Mohammad, Messenger of God”. The set is in Allahyar village 70 kilometers south of the capital Tehran, Iran. It will serve as the setting for future movies on the history of Islam, according to director Majid Majidi.
Photo Credit: AP / Vahid Salemi

‘Muhammad: The Messenger of God’ world premier in Montreal

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‘Muhammad: The Messenger of God’, a film seven years in the making, had its world premier at the Montreal World Film Festival this morning. A poorly attended press screening was the fulfilment of the commitment director, Majid Majidi made to the festival, despite pressure in Iran to show it sooner.

Two sold-out screenings in Iran followed quickly on the Montreal debut, to an apparently enthusiastic response, according to director Majid Majidi. The new 190-minute film focuses on Muhammad’s childhood, careful not to show his face. The movie puts him in various scenes and relies on his point-of-view and the family members around him to convey the story.

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Iranian film-maker Majid Majidi, in a photo taken in Tehran on Feb. 22, 2015 © AP/Vahid Salemi

At a press conference this afternoon, Majid Majidi, with the producer and three of the lead actors in attendance, answered questions regarding the cost and the motivation of the film.

The most expensive Iranian movie ever, at US$40 million, Majidi explained, through an interpreter, that half of the cost is invested in the future, with the re-creation of the buildings and locations of ancient Mecca and Medina, just south of Tehran. It is a Cinema city that will boost the Iranian film industry.

As for the story of Muhammad, Majidi said he is trying to open a new window to show Islam to the whole world.  He says it is an attempt to clear up the ideas or misconceptions. Radicals and terrorists have hijacked the name of Islam; barbaric acts have no relationship with Islam, he said.

When asked if it was a propaganda film, Majidi responded with numbers citing the 200 movies made about the life of Christ, 100 films about Moses and 42 movies about Buddha. He said it has been a shortcoming not to introduce Islam to the world. There was a previous movie made in 1976, by a Syrian-American he said.  That movie, titled, ‘The Message’ starred Anthony Quinn.

Majidi’s film weaves together the story of the mystical signs of a prophet to come with the birth and troubled childhood of the boy, and the power struggles and wheeling and dealing between Jewish, Arabic and early Christian communities. Majidi said four years of research went into the film, consulting both Sunni and Shia scholars and historians.  At over 3 hours in length, there are some very strong performances, and sweeping scenes that make it a visual feast.

This evening the gala screening takes place with the official opening of the festival, and a group from Qatar will be in the audience, intent on making their version of Muhammad’s story. As Majid Majidi told the press conference this afternoon, “the more movies in the world of Islam, the better”.

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