The Princess of Rome animation stands as a landmark achievement in Iranian cinema. Directed by Hadi Mohammadian and produced by Hamed Ja’fari, this cinematic animation, released in 2014, quickly ascended to become one of the most beloved and financially successful animated films in the country’s history. It beautifully weaves together elements of history, drama, and profound religious faith, offering a compelling narrative that appeals to both children and adults.
The film’s reception was overwhelmingly positive, marked by:
- Release Year: 2014
- Director: Hadi Mohammadian
- IMDb Score: 6.4
- Total Gross: $50,000
- Major Awards: Special Commendation from the 18th Iran Cinema Celebration, Special Commendation from the 4th Revolution Cinema Celebration, Special Commendation for Best Animation from the 33rd Fajr Film Festival.
According to IBland, Produced in a remarkably short span of 15 months by the Honar Pooya Group with a budget of approximately $20,000, The Princess of Rome animation drew an audience of 1.5 million viewers. This made it the most-watched animation in Iranian cinema history and the third highest-grossing film of 2015. Its reach extended globally, with screenings in countries including Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Ivory Coast, Bahrain, France, and the UK, demonstrating its universal appeal as a faith-based historical epic.
The Enchanting Plot: Melika’s Destiny and the Path to the Redeemer
The Princess of Rome animation tells the extraordinary tale of a Christian princess named Melika. On her father’s side, Melika is a descendant of Joshua, the successor of Prophet Jesus (PBUH). On her mother’s side, she is the granddaughter of the Roman Emperor (Caesar). Her destiny is uniquely intertwined with the early history of Islam, as fate guides her journey to the Islamic lands where she ultimately marries the eleventh Shia Imam, Imam Hassan al-Askari (PBUH), thereby becoming the mother of the promised Mahdi, the Redeemer (Imam of the Age).
This narrative, rich with history and religious significance, provides substantial educational value for children, introducing them to the lives of the Imams and the background of the mother of the awaited Savior. Parents, however, may need to guide their younger children through some of the miraculous and historical complexities depicted in the story.
The core story begins with the preparations for Princess Melika’s marriage to the Roman Commander, Kratos. However, the pious and justice-seeking Princess harbors deep reservations about Kratos, viewing him as unsuitable to establish peace and security in Rome. Her spiritual convictions are validated when, before the ceremony, she experiences a profound vision.
In this dream, Prophet Jesus (PBUH) himself asks for her hand in marriage on behalf of the “best servant of God” and gives her the glad tidings that her son will be the Promised One (the Mahdi) who will establish justice across the globe. Convinced of her destined path, Melika seeks to postpone the wedding, a request the Caesar denies, as the ceremony had been delayed once before.
On the wedding day, just as Melika and Kratos are about to be united, a sudden, miraculous earthquake disrupts and cancels the ceremony. Commander Kratos, a figure obsessed with gaining the Roman throne, then exploits the situation. He reveals the concealed news of an enemy invasion to the Caesar and decides to offer minimal resistance in the upcoming battle, plotting to eliminate the Roman King and seize power.
During the ensuing conflict, Melika takes advantage of the chaos. Dressed as a slave, she escapes the palace. She is subsequently captured by enemy forces and taken to Baghdad. Before arriving, she experiences another life-altering dream, this time seeing Lady Fatimah (PBUH), the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which leads her to recite the Shohada (declaration of faith) and embrace Islam.
A Divine Intervention: Marriage and the Birth of the Mahdi
The story of The Princess of Rome animation reaches its climax in Baghdad. Imam Hadi (PBUH), who is under house arrest, sends a letter to one of his companions, Soleiman, instructing him to go to the slave market. Soleiman is told to deliver the letter to a virtuous lady named Melika, who would be among the slaves brought for sale but would refuse to be bought by anyone.
Soleiman finds Princess Melika at the market. Seeing the letter, written in her own native language and script, Melika confirms her identity and destiny. She knows she must go to the Imam Hadi (PBUH). She secretly enters the Imam’s house and soon marries his son, Imam Hassan al-Askari (PBUH). A year later, she gives birth to Imam Mahdi (PBUH), the one ordained to bring universal justice to the world.
Behind the Scenes: Production Quality and Voice Acting
The Princess of Rome animation is recognized for its high production quality and ambitious scope. It is considered a joint production of Iran, Lebanon, and Malaysia, highlighting a collaborative effort to bring this significant historical and religious story to life.
- Genre: Drama/Historical Animation
- Format: Cinematic Animation (76 minutes)
- Production Companies: Honar Pooya Group, Haft Sang, and Solook Aflakian.
- Screenwriters: Zahra Bartie, Abbas Sharareh, Hadi Mohammadian, and Hamed Ja’fari.
The film benefited greatly from the involvement of renowned Iranian voice actors, whose performances enhanced the emotional depth of the characters:
| Character/Role | Voice Actor |
| Princess Melika | Maryam Shirzad |
| Christian Priest | Naser Tahmasb |
| Kratos | Manouchehr Vali Zadeh |
| Blacksmith | Hossein Erfani |
| Caesar | Akbar Manafi |
The success of The Princess of Rome animation demonstrates the potential of Iranian animation to tell complex, faith-based stories using high-quality technical standards, captivating design, and appropriate atmospheric setting.
Critical Analysis and Lasting Impact
The Princess of Rome animation has deservedly earned its reputation as one of the best animations produced in Iran. Its strengths include:
- High Technical Quality: Excellent technical execution in its time, demonstrating significant progress for Iranian animation studios.
- Character Design and Atmosphere: Appropriate and attractive design of characters and successful creation of the Roman and Islamic settings.
- Engaging Narrative: A gripping and moving portrayal of a crucial historical and religious event.
However, critics pointed out that some of the subplots, or minor narrative threads, could occasionally distract the younger audience from the central historical and spiritual significance of the main story.
Nonetheless, by blending profound religious concepts; such as the anticipation of the Savior’s return (Entezar), the establishment of justice, and the concepts of the end times; with an engaging cinematic narrative, The Princess of Rome animation has secured its place as an enduring work in Iranian animation. Its success continues to serve as an inspiration for future projects focusing on historical and religious narratives. The Princess of Rome animation remains a popular and critically important cultural piece. The story of Melika is expertly brought to life through The Princess of Rome animation. The positive reception of The Princess of Rome animation confirms the appetite for such deeply meaningful stories.
Source: kodoumo