The Plays and Films of Bahram Beyzaie: Origins, Forms and Functions

Bahram Beyzaie is an Iranian playwright and auteur filmmaker who examines the modalities and transformations of Iranian contemporary, historical, and mythical identity through his films and plays. This book explores his influential plays and filmic magnum opuses from critical perspectives, including ecofeminist, sociopolitical, new-historicist, archetypal, and psychoanalytical readings. It also explores his dialogue with filmic genres such as noir, Iranian languages, Iranian epics, and ritual practices, showing how his works negotiate narratives of belonging and undermine dominant exclusionist discourses in Iran.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Bahram Beyzaie, a prominent figure in Iranian theater and cinema, is the subject of this comprehensive book. It delves into the examination of several of Beyzaie's films and plays, exploring their profound fascination with the modalities and transformations of Iranian contemporary, historical, and mythical identity from diverse perspectives. The chapters analyze Beyzaie's influential plays, such as "Arash" and "So Dies Pahlevan Akbar," as well as his cinematic masterpieces, including "The Crow," "Bashu," "The Little Stranger," and "Killing Mad Dogs." These critical assessments encompass ecofeminist, sociopolitical, new-historicist, archetypal, and psychoanalytical readings, providing a rich tapestry of interpretations. Furthermore, the book explores Beyzaie's engaging dialogue with filmic genres like noir, various Iranian languages like Gilaki, Iranian epics, and ritual practices such as taziyeh plays and javanmardi chivalry cults. Through these chapters, it becomes evident how Beyzaie's works negotiate narratives of belonging and challenge dominant exclusionist discourses in Iran. Moreover, they utilize the rich resources of Iranian folk and performance traditions to comment on the position of women, children, intellectuals, and minorities in society. This book offers a profound exploration of Bahram Beyzaie's artistic contributions, shedding light on his profound understanding of the complexities of Iranian identity and his ability to engage with pressing social issues through his art.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780755652693