Face Reading 2012

Directed by Hadi Afarideh

"Curtain Reading" (pardeh khani) is a dying traditional Iranian art form and the antecedent of Ta'zieh. Traveling performers would mount murals depicting scenes from the Shahnameh, and later, religious scenes, while theatrically recounting the stories. Today, very few readers remain. The film interviews remaining descendants of reader families along with various others to discuss the legacy and history of this practice. It also shows historic photographs and film clips of performances.