Hossein Torabi

For Liberty

The final days of the reign of the Shah: processions of mourning and jubilation, scenes after the fire in the Cinema Rex in Abadan, southern Iran, in which 377 viewers died; the famous interview with the Shah – shortly before his departure at Mehrabad Airport, followed by the acclaimed arrival and first speech by Ayatollah Khomeini; finally the graves of the martyrs of the revolution in Tehran’s large cemetery Behesht-e Zahra. Torabi and his cameramen film euphoric crowds and thoughtful revolutionaries, statesmen and members of various minorities such as Turkmen and Zoroastrians.

The Spectacles

The story begin with a boy’s routine visit to optometrist. He has poor eyesight and is prescribed with glasses. That is the beginning of the troubles for the little boy, who lives with his single mother in poor outskirts of the capital.

The Messenger

A short film about the small post office in Saman, a small village in rural Iran, and it’s dedicated postman. After the office manager is transferred to another position, the lone postman takes it upon himself to handle the entire office. He cleans, picks up and sorts the mail late at nights, delivers the mail on his bicycle and reads the to illiterate older recipients, doing all he can to prove he’s worthy and capable of managing the small office on his own.

Ferdowsi and the People

A documentary about Ferdowsi, the great Persian poet of 9th century, the creator epic Shahnameh (the book of kings). The film examines the impacts of the poet and his masterpiece, almost one thousand years after its creation, on Iran and Iranian people in the late 1970’s, the last years before the revolution.

Isfahan

The city of Isfahan, the ancient Persian capital and its stunning architecture, arts and traditions are featured in this documentary. Words and narrations are by the late Iranian poet, Ahmad Shamloo.

Reza Haft-Khat

Reza Haft-Khat and his friend Mamal live by gambling and extortion. Reza pretends to be proficient in business affairs and in this way he meets Aghdas, Mirza's daughter, and promises to marry her.

Ghamsar Rosewater

A documentary about the village of Ghamsar, the historic hub of making rose water in Iran, depicting the traditions of making their famed perfume.

Faith

A documentary on the tomb of Imam Reza, the 8th Imam in Shia Islam. The film shows the various rituals performed by visiting pilgrims alongside "behind the scenes" footage of the management of such a heavily trafficked facility, including spectacular images of the laborious and ceremonious process of sorting piles of money and objects (letters, human hair) that devotees throw inside the tomb for good fortune.

The Seasaw

The short film that portrays two couples, one traditional and one modern, given in the backdrop of the playground they met.

Mashhad

A documentary about the holy city of Mashhad, highlighting the contrasts of faith and modernity under Shah in the Iran’s early 1970’s. Narrated by late poet Ahmad Shamloo.