Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut is screening “The Bakhtiari Alphabet,” a documentary that follows the nomadic Bakhtiari tribe. The Bakhtiari are located in southwestern Iran. The film is directed by filmmaker Reza Ghadiani and Professor Cima Sedigh. According to a press release for the film,
“The Bakhtiari Alphabet” was created over the course of 7 years in the remote and mountainous regions of Iran, where the Bakhtiari live and migrate. Over that time, Dr. Sedigh lived with the nomadic tribe anywhere from a few weeks to a few months each year, studying their geography, history, economy, politics and culture. The film reveals both the struggle and humanity of this rapidly disappearing culture.
The screening will take place Friday, November 6th at the Schine Auditorium.
November 3, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Matt; Thank you for posting this info. I am a Bakhtiari descendent who has been looking for information on my ancestral history and culture for a long time. This sounds like a fantastic place to start. Thank u again.
November 3, 2009 at 2:33 pm
to the producer of this documentary: Thank you for your strenghth, perseverance and love of Iran. Thank you for bringing the beauty of our culture and bakhtiaries into our daily lives.
November 3, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Does no one watch the film ‘Grass: A Nation’s battle for life?’ anymore? Either way, should provide a pretty interesting basis for comparison; Iran has changed quite a bit since a couple orientalists rode a wagon from Istanbul to Khuzistan to find the ‘Forgotten People’ and climb Zardeh Kuh with Haidar and the Bakhtiaris in the 20s. Regardless, the tone of the film seems strangely familiar… maybe so much hasn’t changed with regard to the way nomadic peoples are romanticized. Either way, it looks good and I will try to find it when it is released.
November 4, 2009 at 2:29 am
Of course Grass is a seminal film. I think it is the FIRST documentary. If you have not seen it go and find it. I once saw GRASS on TV (AMC) and was so taken that I immediately tracked down the distributor in New York to get a copy. He also suggested the follow up film to Grass which is called “The People of the Wind”. It was done in the late 70’s. The current film is the third in the series………
November 5, 2009 at 11:15 am
The brilliant and colorful life of the Baktiere are well represented in the film. It engaged all of my senses intrigued me to know more about these people, their mores, and their philosophy.
November 5, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Cima,
great and detailed insight into the bakhtiari’s life.
You should be rewarded for the time and physical/financial effort that you put into the making of this documentary.
Today, worldwide, there are just a few people like you…….people that go beyond their means to show us that there is a life outside of the daily “needs and wants”…..
Finally, I also commend you for dedicating your life to education and charity….two of the most noble causes on earth…..you are an inspiration to all of us.
November 5, 2009 at 5:08 pm
A superb educational experience; an amazing work of art, and a pleasure to watch. I am humbled by the amount of work, dedication, knowledge professor Sedigh has but in this documentary.
November 6, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Vividly captures the ancient ways of a contemporary, indigenous tribe — masterful photography, rich sound — brilliant!
November 8, 2009 at 6:45 pm
A powerful and haunting portrayal of survival in a world little known to us. An evocative study of family, friendship and the vicissitudes of survival of nomadic life.
November 11, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Wow! What a powerful piece about a part of the world that I was unfamiliar with until this video. This is a great educational movie. The video must have taken a lot of hard work and it certainly paid off.
November 12, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Cima, I just wanted to thank you for opening my eyes to an extraordinary culture I knew nothing about before seeing your documentary. Your film wonderfully captures the lives of these nomadic people and portrays the strength of this mirgrating tribe. It is obvious how much hard work went into putting this film together so congratulation on such an amazing accomplishment.
November 12, 2009 at 11:10 pm
This documentary is an extrodinary portrayal of Cima’s dedication and willingness to educate the world about different cultures. Focusing on these nomadic people in particular gives all of us a different perspective on not only the lives of the Bakhtiari people, but into our own lives as well. I want to thank you for committing yourself to teaching the importance of gaining multicultural perspectives and showing us that if we are passionate about something, we can truly make a difference. Your work and teaching is truly inspiring and I thank you for all that you have done and are sharing with the world.
November 13, 2009 at 2:02 am
The Bakhtiari Alphabet Documentary movie is one of the wounderful and great educational and artistic movie which introduce’s and show the life and the culture of the Bakhtiari’s tribe of Iran.you should be rewarded for your perseverance and your love to human beings.
November 16, 2009 at 11:24 pm
I am not knowledgeable in this area, and this film looks intriguing. I look forward to seeing it
November 20, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Very original.
November 25, 2009 at 3:47 pm
The trailer held my attention and was extremely interesting. I cannot wait to see the film in its entirety
November 29, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Powerful and inspiring work of art! A revealing look at an extraordinary culture. Your dedication and passion is not only commendable but apparent in everything that you do. You’re an inspiration to us all!
November 29, 2009 at 5:59 pm
I watched this film when it showed at SHU, and it is every bit as intriguing and exciting as it looks in this trailer. Cima spared no time or expense in bringing the life of the Bakhtiari into perspective for a whole new world. Like many in the audience, I would have never been aware of these traditional people and their incredible lifestyle if not for Cima’s work. Thank you Cima! Your dedication is appreciated.
December 11, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I saw this film at Sacred Heart and was captured by the beautiful scenery. The film shows the migration of the Bakhtiari people and the challenges they face in educating their children. I found it so interesting I purchased a copy to share with my children. Beautifully done and very enlightening.