The report states that ISIS, one of the darkest terrorist groups in contemporary history, has not only caused chaos in the Middle East, but also become an attractive topic for Iranian cinema and television. Iranian films and series centered on ISIS, while depicting the crimes of this group, have highlighted Iran’s role in the fight against terrorism and the axis of resistance.
The report continues, “In this article, we will review the best Iranian dramas on the topic of ISIS, from the popular series Paytakht 5 to the film Heart of Raqqa. These works are not only valuable from a cinematic perspective, but also provide deep messages about resistance, martyrdom, and humanity.
- Paytakht 5 series: A comedy in the heart of the ISIS crisis
Paytakht 5, directed by Sirous Moghadam, was one of the first Iranian series to address the topic of ISIS. This series, which aired in 2018, combines comedy and social genres, taking an ordinary family to Syria to tell a different story in the context of the war with ISIS.
Key Features of Paytakht 5
- Indirect Narration: ISIS is present in this series as a backdrop to the story, and the main focus is on immigration and the problems of an ordinary family. However, Sirous Moghadam delicately portrays the danger of ISIS and the role of the defenders of the shrine.
- Cast: Mohsen Tanabandeh, Rima Raminfar, Ahmad Mehranfar, and Niloufar Rajaeifar (as a girl fleeing ISIS) were among the main actors.
- Cultural Impact: Paytakht 5 was able to make the name of ISIS more tangible for the general Iranian audience due to its comedic and audience-friendly style.
Reviews
Although Paytakht 5 could not delve into the depth of ISIS issues due to its comedy nature, its boldness in delving into this sensitive topic is admirable. The series was produced with the support of the Ouj organization and, according to critics, indirectly referred to the importance of the defenders of the shrine and the security of Iran.
- The film At the Time of the Evening: An Epic by Ebrahim Hatamikia
The film At the Time of the Evening (2017), directed by Ebrahim Hatamikia, is one of the most prominent Iranian works on the subject of ISIS. The film tells the story of two Iranian pilots who embark on a dangerous operation to save the people of a city besieged by ISIS.
Key features of At the Time of the Evening
- Action and epic genre: Hatamikia presented a realistic picture of ISIS’s brutality using strong special effects and action scenes.
- Actors: Hadi Hejazifar and Babak Hamidian played the main roles and their performances were praised.
- Message of the film: This work emphasizes Iran’s role in the fight against terrorism and the sacrifice of the defenders of the shrine.
Review
Dinner Time introduced new standards in action cinema due to its epic narrative and strong visual effects, compared to similar Iranian works. However, some critics believe that the characterization of ISIS in this film was a bit cliché.
- The Heart of Raqqa: A Romance in the Heart of War
Directed by Khairollah Taghianipour, The Heart of Raqqa (1402) is the latest Iranian film on the subject of ISIS, which received the Best Resistance Film Award at the 42nd Fajr Film Festival. The film tells the story of Reza, an Iranian fighter (played by Shahram Haghighatdoost), who infiltrates the group as a journalist to rescue an Iranian captive from the clutches of ISIS.
Key Features of The Heart of Raqqa
- Genre Mix: The film is a mix of action, espionage, and romance that portrays an emotional story set in the context of war.
- Actors: Shahram Haghighatdoost, Shadi Mokhtari, Farhad Ghaemian, and Mohammad Reza Sharifinia are among the stars of this film.
- Special effects: The use of high-quality visual and field effects has made the war scenes more realistic.
Reviews
The Heart of Raqqa has received attention for its treatment of the rarely seen issue of Iranian influence in ISIS. However, some critics believe that the characterization of ISIS members is stereotypical and the story is predictable in parts. By showing the cooperation of the defenders of the shrine, the Syrian army, and the Fatemiyoun forces, this film presents a multifaceted picture of the axis of resistance.
- Documentary Women with Gunpowder Earrings
Although Women with Gunpowder Earrings (2017) directed by Reza Farahmand is a documentary, it deserves to be mentioned on this list due to its impact and different narrative. The documentary follows the story of Nour al-Hilli, an Iraqi journalist, as she investigates the plight of women who have been oppressed by ISIS.
Key Features
- True Narrative: The documentary presents a shocking portrait of the group’s crimes by portraying the real-life victims of ISIS.
- Focus on Women: Unlike many works, this documentary specifically focuses on the suffering of women in areas under ISIS control.
Reviews
Women with Gunpowder Earrings earned international acclaim for its honesty in its narrative and portrayal of the human aspects of war. It clearly demonstrated how ISIS used women as tools to advance its goals.
