Mystic Iran: The Unseen World

Rating:
Summary: MOVING!
Review: An extraodinary film about mystical practices in Iran. Shoreh Aghadashloo has written and narrated this documentary with great sensitivity and explores practices rarely if ever seen on film before. A must for people interested in mysticism, and a moving a triumphant film.

Rating:
Summary: You'll Learn More from a Solid Book
Review: Cringe worthy view of tasawwuf ("Islamic mysticism," Sufism) in Iran. Sensationalistic and exploitative, especially when it comes to the portrayal of the female dervishes, with the same tired errors and misunderstandings one finds in any mediocre Orientalist work on the topic. Anyone wanting to see the face of the Qadiri tariqa (the one featured in most of the film) would be much better off reading English translations of the works of Sheikh Abdal Qadir al Jilani.

Rating:
Summary: Beware - Sufism for Tourists
Review: I agree with the review of Umm Zaid below. I practise and study
erfan (sufism). Personally I find the portrayals of Sufi practise from this film verging on the offensive.

Reviewer: Umm Zaid (NY, NY) - See all my reviews
Cringe worthy view of tasawwuf ("Islamic mysticism," Sufism) in Iran. Sensationalistic and exploitative, especially when it comes to the portrayal of the female dervishes, with the same tired errors and misunderstandings one finds in any mediocre Orientalist work on the topic. Anyone wanting to see the face of the Qadiri tariqa (the one featured in most of the film) would be much better off reading English translations of the works of Sheikh Abdal Qadir al Jilani.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: Those involved clearly put in an effort which should be praised. However, many other beautiful and traditionally significant issues should have been included such as the typical beautiful persian marriage ceremony and the symbolic items involved. I hope they do a follow-up DVD on "Mystical traditions in Iran" such as the traditional New Year and the symbolism involved, a typical marriage ceremony and other traditions such as Chahar Sambe Souri.