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A Historical Wound: The Role of Ta‘ziya as a theater-ritual in Iranian Cinema

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A Historical Wound: The Role of Ta‘ziya as a theater-ritual in Iranian Cinema

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(2024). A Historical Wound: The Role of Ta‘ziya as a theater-ritual in Iranian Cinema. In Cinema Iranica. Encyclopaedia Iranica Foundation https://cinema.iranicaonline.org/article/a-historical-wound-the-role-of-taziya-as-a-theater-ritual-in-iranian-cinema/
. "A Historical Wound: The Role of Ta‘ziya as a theater-ritual in Iranian Cinema." Cinema Iranica, Encyclopaedia Iranica Foundation, 2024. https://cinema.iranicaonline.org/article/a-historical-wound-the-role-of-taziya-as-a-theater-ritual-in-iranian-cinema/
(2024). A Historical Wound: The Role of Ta‘ziya as a theater-ritual in Iranian Cinema. In Cinema Iranica. Encyclopaedia Iranica Foundation. Available from: https://cinema.iranicaonline.org/article/a-historical-wound-the-role-of-taziya-as-a-theater-ritual-in-iranian-cinema/ [Accessed November 20, 2024].
. "A Historical Wound: The Role of Ta‘ziya as a theater-ritual in Iranian Cinema." In Cinema Iranica, (Encyclopaedia Iranica Foundation, 2024) https://cinema.iranicaonline.org/article/a-historical-wound-the-role-of-taziya-as-a-theater-ritual-in-iranian-cinema/

Ta‘ziya, as a theater-ritual, is deeply rooted in Shiite Islamic tradition and has been performed in Iran for nearly four centuries. Over time, it has developed from a mere religious ritual to become a significant cultural phenomenon. This article argues that Ta‘ziya’s influence extends into Iranian cinema, where its narrative structures, symbolic motifs, and performative aesthetics have been adapted to create a distinct cinematic language. Utilizing performance theory and ritual studies, the study analyzes key films from the 1960s to the present, highlighting how filmmakers incorporate Ta‘ziya’s elements to explore themes of martyrdom, historical trauma, and socio-political resistance. By examining works of prominent directors, this article reveals that the integration of Ta‘ziya in cinema serves not only as a tool for cultural reflection but also as a means to challenge and reinterpret contemporary socio-political narratives. This study contributes to the broader understanding of Iranian cinema by demonstrating how Ta‘ziya’s dramaturgical legacy enriches cinematic storytelling, blending ritual and film to create a powerful visual expression of national and religious identity.