TEHRAN, June 24 (Mehr News Agency) -- The film "Poetry and Sword", which is a biography of Ferdowsi by Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Nurizad, is now ready for screening.

Statue of Hakim Abol Qasem Ferdowsi Tousi
(photo: Iran Chamber)

Nurizad told MNA on Saturday that the film tells the life story of Hakim Abolqassem Ferdowsi from his childhood to his death, focusing on his pain, suffering, misery, and poverty.

"Ferdowsi was a rich man but gradually became poor by beginning to write his epic Shahnameh," he stated.

On why he chose this theme, he said, "Ferdowsi is undoubtedly at the peak of Persian poetry and literature. He is not only a great figure in Persian literature, but a world figure in letters. Today's literature is rooted in Ferdowsi's literature."

He emphasized that Persian traditional literature is a good source for indigenous Iranian screenplays, which can communicate with the audience when made into movies, adding that Iranian cinema needs to make use of this rich source in order to produce distinctive works.

The cast of "Poetry and Sword" includes Parvaneh Masumi, Hamid Taj-Dolati, Anushirvan Arjmand, Sara Soltani, Ali Taleblu, and Reza Tavakkoli.

... Payvand News - 6/24/06 ... --