The Tears of Imam Hussein

(Les Larmes D'Hussein) Michel Tabet
France/Lebanon, 2006, 50 mins
Arabic (English sub-titles)

The annual Ashura Ceremony, observed by Shiites worldwide, commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, Prophet Muhammad's grandson, killed by the Ommeyades in Karbala in 61 AD. This documentary, filmed in the City of Nabatieh, South-Lebanon in February 2006, brings us unique footage of this rarely seen event. It observes the community honour the suffering and sacrifice of their martyr through 10 days of prayer and parades. The Imam of Nabatieh and other members of the community describe the intense experience of participating in the ceremony and give us some insight into its huge religious and political power.