The Animated Film “Benyamin”, despite its fictional plot and characters, is deeply infused with religious and Quranic themes. This Iranian animated feature, directed by Mohsen Enayati and produced by Mostafa Hassanabadi, is the debut full-length cinematic work of the Nedaye Moud Animation Group. As one of the three animated films presented at the 37th Fajr Film Festival, it drew significant attention for its blend of compelling storytelling and spiritual depth.
A Story Rooted in Ancient Egypt, Echoing Universal Truths
According to IBland, Benyamin narrates the life of a young boy of the same name in Ancient Egypt. This was a time when the Egyptian Pharaohs enslaved the Israelites, forcing them into hard labor in the temples. The story is told through the eyes of Ashir, Benyamin’s loyal friend.
The narrative gains momentum when Benyamin’s mother is arrested by the Pharaoh’s soldiers for protesting against the regime’s injustice and cruelty. To secure her freedom, Benyamin embarks on a perilous journey, tasked with finding a highly valuable item to exchange for his mother. This initial quest, however, evolves into something much grander.
Animation proves to be an exceptionally engaging and joyful medium for conveying educational and Quranic stories and simplifying profound religious and Quranic themes for children. Benyamin, although not a literal Quranic story with known prophets, brilliantly captures the essence of divine teachings.
The film is a powerful testament to the idea that people cannot be saved from oppression as long as they passively submit to it. The entire narrative acts as a striking illustration of the Quranic verse: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves” ($13:11$). The filmmaker masterfully communicates this profound message through a fluid, captivating storyline.
The Narrative Structure: Oppression and the Quest for the Redeemer
The film is distinctly divided into two halves. The first half vividly portrays the suffering and oppression inflicted upon the people by the Pharaohs, showcasing their abject misery. The second half dramatically shifts focus to the people’s rising determination to stage an uprising against the Pharaoh, setting the stage for the appearance of a Savior (the Mahdi/Redeemer).
The director cleverly conveys to its young audience the necessity of having a leader or a Savior to guide society through the correct path when challenging tyranny. Crucially, the film posits that the Savior will not emerge unless the people attain complete awareness and spiritual awakening, sincerely and purely beseeching God for their deliverance. This is how the filmmaker skillfully integrates the concept of the Redeemer (Monji) and his appearance into the very heart of the adventure.
It is worth noting, however, that the necessity of assembling three pieces of an amulet for the Savior’s appearance serves primarily as a plot device and lacks significant logical justification within the broader religious and Quranic themes the film champions.
Character Dynamics and Thematic Depth
Benyamin successfully crafts a simple, childlike narrative that resonates with the minds of young viewers. The film features well-developed protagonists. Benyamin, his mother, his father, and even Ashir are portrayed as heroes; individuals who bravely confronted injustice and risked their lives rather than remaining silent.
The audience admires the mother’s resilience and courage when facing the Pharaoh’s soldiers, a stark contrast to the silence of the men around her. By the story’s conclusion, Benyamin faces a critical dilemma: saving his mother or saving his people. Thanks to the insight he gains throughout the journey, he chooses his community, thus fulfilling the mission his father entrusted to him; a strong reflection of selflessness that aligns with many religious and Quranic themes.
Benyamin was created using 3D animation techniques. Its makers stated they utilized screenwriting models inspired by major Hollywood animation studios like Disney and DreamWorks, which speaks to their aspiration for global quality. The characters are endearing, particularly the clumsy and funny Ashir, whose sweet dialogue and amusing appearance provide much-needed comedic relief. The dynamic between the smart and resourceful Benyamin and the simple-minded Ashir drives the plot forward effectively through their contrasting personalities.
Production Insights and Market Success
Benyamin is a product of the Nedaye Moud Animation Group, which was established in 2011 and has consistently produced content focused on religious themes. This studio’s motto is “Producing Iranian Islamic animation with the highest international quality.”
The film achieved significant commercial success, earning the title of the second highest-grossing animated film in the history of Iranian cinema, a clear indication of its widespread appeal, particularly amongst families seeking entertainment rooted in strong moral and religious and Quranic themes.
- Director: Mohsen Enayati
- Producer: Mostafa Hassanabadi
- Writer: Mohsen Enayati
- Composer: Behzad Abdi (Music performed by the Kyiv Virtuosi Orchestra in Ukraine)
- Voice Actors: Changiz Jalilvand, Naser Tahmasb, Akbar Manani, Saeid Mozaffari, and Maryam Shirzad.
- Genre: Adventure
- Country of Origin: Iran
Critical Reception and Technical Debate
While the film was a commercial success and resonated thematically with many, it also faced its share of critical scrutiny. Some critics argued that the heavy reliance on the fragmented amulet as the central plot device for the “Savior’s appearance” was weak, struggling to logically support the grander religious and Quranic themes it was meant to represent. Furthermore, the dialogue emphasizing that the Savior will arrive and solve all problems if people only pray was seen by some as an oversimplified message for the modern generation of children, who are increasingly taught to embrace agency and self-reliance.
Technically, some critics noted that despite a reported high budget and two years of effort, the film’s quality did not always meet international standards, especially when compared to local successes like The Elephant King (Filshah). Specific issues included:
- Artificiality of special effects (e.g., water and fire).
- Unnatural and superficial character movements, particularly the animation of the eyes.
- Poor lip-syncing during dialogues, which the skilled voice actors attempted to compensate for.
- The use of the peacock as a recurring motif, which some found contextually questionable given the film’s core religious and Quranic themes.
Despite these criticisms, the film’s strong directing and editing choices, particularly the camera angles, were praised for their effectiveness in storytelling. Ultimately, Benyamin is a significant piece of Iranian animation that successfully uses the adventure genre to explore complex religious and Quranic themes of justice, struggle against oppression, and the eventual arrival of a Redeemer, making it a valuable teaching tool for children and a noteworthy contender in the domestic film industry. The power of its religious and Quranic themes is undeniable, driving its popularity and cultural impact.
Source: zoomg