IRIB pays tribute to “Mokhtarnameh” cast and crew

TEHRAN,Jan.2(MNA) – The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) paid tribute to the cast and crew of the Iranian TV series “Mokhtarnameh”. The ceremony, attended by IRIB Director Ezzatollah Zarghami, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Hosseini and several cast and crew members of the TV series, took place at the IRIB International Conference Hall. The 40-episode “Mokhtarnameh” is about an uprising organized by Mokhtar Saqafi after the events of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, to take revenge against the killers of Imam Hussein (AS). An all-Iranian cast is appearing in “Mokhtarnameh”, which is directed by Davud Mirbaqeri, who previously directed the TV series “Imam Ali (AS)”. Mirbaqeri expressed his happiness on visiting his friends and colleagues again after the film production is over now. “We tried to portray the culture of Ashura. Recreating the scenes and events of Ashura was hard and I hope we were able to show part of the reality in this production,” he said. “Art productions require teamwork and every body is involved. Once Zarghami asked me why TV productions are this complicated and I replied because there are so many obstacles on the way and I am happy that we were able to produce ‘Mokhtarnameh’” Mirbaqeri added. Actor Fariborz Arabnia who played the role of Mokhtar next made a brief speech. He hoped to witness a huge effort by management concerning culture and said, “Every individual had a share in this project. We are all well aware that culture plays a major role in clarifying these concepts.” Hosseini next said that the Culture Ministry also had a small share in this project and Tehran’s Vahdat Hall hosted a photo collection depicting scenes from “Mokhtarnameh”. Seventy-two photos were selected for the show by renowned Iranian photographer Seifollah Samadian from among over 4,000 works that had been taken by Masud Pakdel. The ceremony was brought to an end with the presentation of awards to the cast and crew. Mirbaqeri took about eight years to complete the blockbuster and its last episode was broadcast on IRIB’s Channel 1 in July.