The Messiah (Iranian film)
Encyclopedia
Mesih, more commonly and officially referred to as The Messiah, but also referred to as 'Jesus', "Good Tidings of the Savior" in Persian
, 'Jesus, the Spirit of God', 'Messia' is a 2008 film from the Islamic Republic of Iran, directed by Nader Talebzadeh
, depicting the life of Jesus
from an Islamic perspective, based not only on the canonical gospels, but also the Qur'an
, and, it would seem, the Gospel of Barnabas
. which conforms to the Islamic interpretation of the origins of Christianity
. Iranian actor, Ahmad Soleimani Nia plays the role of Jesus. Some Islamic organizations cite it in support of the Islamic view of Jesus.
The director sees his film "as an Islamic answer to Western productions like Mel Gibson
's 2004 blockbuster The Passion of the Christ
, which he praised as admirable but quite simply "wrong"."
The film has two endings, one from the Christian bible and one from the Qur'an.
It is a two-hour-plus feature film and a TV series shot for Iranian TV.
The appearance of Jesus as prophet of God who is trapped within conspiracies to eradicate his message and to abolish his mission is the key plot in this twenty part series. The pronouncement of the coming of the final prophet of God after Jesus, the missing-link between Christianity and Islam is emphatically portrayed.
In the final episode, the ascension of Jesus to heaven is the ultimate unifying code between Christians and Muslims alike. The story depicts this final turn of events and inevitably hearken the believers worldwide for the final appearance of the Apocalypse
.
stated that "With over 1,000 actors and extras, it is one of the largest film productions ever attempted in Iran.
The longer version of the film is airing as 20 45-minute episodes after a theatrical version is released here." The series is being dubbed in many languages including Arabic for showing on Arab television stations.
A showing of the series based on the film by two Lebanese
television stations Al-Manar
and National Broadcasting Network
during the Holy month of Ramadan
was suspended after the broadcast of one initial episode, as the Christian religious authorities in the country demanded broadcasts to be suspended because many portrayals in the film contradict with traditional Christian church beliefs about Jesus. These were scheduled broadcasts in a series adapted to television and dubbed into Arabic
and shown on many Arab television stations during Ramadan. The film portrays Jesus as a prophet and not as Son of God and claims he was not crucified and that someone else was crucified in his place. Talebzadeh's biopic shows Judas Iscariot
being crucified instead of Jesus. Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God and thus part of the Holy Trinity
and that he died by crucifixion to accomplish humanity's salvation before resurrecting and ascending to heaven.
The 2007 Religion Today Film Festival in Italy
has given the movie an award for promoting interfaith understanding.
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
, 'Jesus, the Spirit of God', 'Messia' is a 2008 film from the Islamic Republic of Iran, directed by Nader Talebzadeh
Nader Talebzadeh
Nader talebzadeh ]]".He holds BA English Literature from the University of Randolph, and master film directing from Columbia University....
, depicting the life of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
from an Islamic perspective, based not only on the canonical gospels, but also the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
, and, it would seem, the Gospel of Barnabas
Gospel of Barnabas
The Gospel of Barnabas is a book depicting the life of Jesus, and claiming to be by Jesus' disciple Barnabas, who in this work is one of the twelve apostles...
. which conforms to the Islamic interpretation of the origins of Christianity
Islamic view of the Bible
In Islam, the Bible is held to reflect true unfolding revelation from God; but revelation which had been corrupted or distorted ; which necessitated the giving of the Qur'an to the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, to correct this deviation....
. Iranian actor, Ahmad Soleimani Nia plays the role of Jesus. Some Islamic organizations cite it in support of the Islamic view of Jesus.
The director sees his film "as an Islamic answer to Western productions like Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson
Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
's 2004 blockbuster The Passion of the Christ
The Passion of the Christ
The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 American drama film directed by Mel Gibson and starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus. It depicts the Passion of Jesus largely according to the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John...
, which he praised as admirable but quite simply "wrong"."
The film has two endings, one from the Christian bible and one from the Qur'an.
It is a two-hour-plus feature film and a TV series shot for Iranian TV.
Plot
'The gospels seen through a very different lens' is the brief summary of what "The Messiah" is all about. Never has there been an attempt to portray Jesus from a mutually Muslim and Christian perspective.The appearance of Jesus as prophet of God who is trapped within conspiracies to eradicate his message and to abolish his mission is the key plot in this twenty part series. The pronouncement of the coming of the final prophet of God after Jesus, the missing-link between Christianity and Islam is emphatically portrayed.
In the final episode, the ascension of Jesus to heaven is the ultimate unifying code between Christians and Muslims alike. The story depicts this final turn of events and inevitably hearken the believers worldwide for the final appearance of the Apocalypse
Apocalypse
An Apocalypse is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e. the veil to be lifted. The Apocalypse of John is the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament...
.
Crew
- Director of Photography : Sadegh Mianji
- Sound : Seyyed Jalal Hosseini
- Set & Costume Designer : Ahmad Soleimani-Nia
- Make-up Designer : Morteza Zarrabi
- Executive Producer : Abdollah Sa'eedi
- Production Assistant : Sa'eed Kazemi
Series
The movie has been adapted into a television series and being shown on Iranian TV. VarietyVariety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
stated that "With over 1,000 actors and extras, it is one of the largest film productions ever attempted in Iran.
The longer version of the film is airing as 20 45-minute episodes after a theatrical version is released here." The series is being dubbed in many languages including Arabic for showing on Arab television stations.
A showing of the series based on the film by two Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
television stations Al-Manar
Al-Manar
Al-Manar is a Lebanese satellite television station affiliated with Hezbollah, registered as Lebanese Media Group Company, broadcasting from Beirut, Lebanon. It has an offering a "rich menu" of high production news, commentary, and entertainment. The self-proclaimed "Station of the Resistance" ,...
and National Broadcasting Network
National Broadcasting Network (Lebanon)
National Broadcasting Network known as NBN is the official television of the Lebanese Amal Movement. The National Broadcasting Network s.a.l. NBN, is a Lebanese private company by shares, founded in 1996. In September 2000, NBN launched its satellite channel via Arab Sat and Nile Sat to cover the...
during the Holy month of Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
was suspended after the broadcast of one initial episode, as the Christian religious authorities in the country demanded broadcasts to be suspended because many portrayals in the film contradict with traditional Christian church beliefs about Jesus. These were scheduled broadcasts in a series adapted to television and dubbed into Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
and shown on many Arab television stations during Ramadan. The film portrays Jesus as a prophet and not as Son of God and claims he was not crucified and that someone else was crucified in his place. Talebzadeh's biopic shows Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is best known for his betrayal of Jesus to the hands of the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver.-Etymology:...
being crucified instead of Jesus. Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God and thus part of the Holy Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
and that he died by crucifixion to accomplish humanity's salvation before resurrecting and ascending to heaven.
Awards / Festivals
The film was played at the Philadelphia film festival.The 2007 Religion Today Film Festival in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
has given the movie an award for promoting interfaith understanding.