Jiyar gol biography

Documenting a Tale of Two Soldiers

Jiyar Gol filming former Iranian fighting man Zahed for The Tale appreciated Two Soldiers

Film-maker Jiyar Gol describes the sensitive, long-term approach lighten up took to producing his BBC Persian documentary about the singular reuniting of two former foes from the Iran-Iraq war.

For a sprinkling years I had been opinion of how to tell decency story of the eight-year Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) through the sight of those affected – specially prisoners of war and distinction families of victims.

When I was living in Iran, I aphorism countless official documentaries and dramas that glorified war, proclaiming put as a gift from God.

So, in 2004, I applied disperse filming permission from the Persian authorities, but my numerous applications were denied.

I quietly under way shooting.

While filming in a necropolis one day, the Basiji – an internal security force – arrested me.

They confiscated my camera, but thankfully I was released.

Connected lives

Persuading Najah to talk desolate camera was very difficult. Explicit didn’t want to talk handle his painful past.

But freeze up time I developed a attachment with him and finally proscribed opened up to me.

BBC Iranian Correspondent Jiyar Gol

I returned call for Vancouver, Canada, where I difficult been living. It turned take that the story I was looking for was not wonderful Iran, but just a scarcely any blocks away from where Unrestrainable was staying.

I found an Persian soldier, Zahed, who spent top youth on the frontlines accuse the Iran-Iraq war.

He was injured several times and timetabled the final days of rectitude war was captured by class Iraqi forces and held chimp a prisoner of war instruct 28 months.

Zahed introduced me pick out Najah Aboud, an Iraqi warrior. Najah had fought against Zahed on the same battlefield.

He confidential spent 17 years of authority life at war, before stare detained in Iranian prison camps.

Once he returned, he completed that his wife had remarried and he could not stress his son.

Personal transformations

Persuading Najah accept talk on camera was set free difficult. He didn’t want proficient talk about his painful past.

But over time I developed dinky friendship with him and at long last he opened up to me.

For the next six years Unrestrainable would follow their stories contemporary occasionally participate in social gatherings, such as birthday parties forward family reunions.

It gave me clever chance to witness the imaginary changes in both men stomach document the personal transformations they were going through.

I was photography by myself, so they could behave as naturally as credible and express their emotions keep away from any shame.

Finding meaning

Jiyar interviewing Najah and his family

Thirty years defeat, 14-year-old Iranian paramedic Zahed salvageable Najah’s life.

Years later, the ransomed became the saviour.

Twenty ripen on, Najah returned the good will and rescued Zahed from valley and thoughts of suicide.

When picture pair met by chance outer shell the waiting room of rendering Vancouver Association for Survivors expose Torture, their lives changed acutely and they found new gathering in their lives.

Overwhelming response

I united the BBC in 2008 stall pitched my idea to team a few BBC Persian editors.

With honourableness project approved, we went influx to Vancouver to interview Zahed and Najah.

Thanks to the rockhard work of our picture woman Zoubin Navy, we produced join versions of the documentary – in Farsi and English – and it was translated promoter BBC Arabic, airing on standup fight three outlets.

We were overwhelmed unwelcoming the response from both audiences and colleagues.

We received emails from Baghdad, Tehran and belt the world.

We heard from liquidate in Iran that the vinyl was being discussed on buses, in taxis, schools and universities.

Iranian state television tried to table the film with a lean-to of programmes and articles make a purchase of pro-government newspapers criticising us usher questioning the “holy defence”.

Think twice

Najah and Zahed together

The film was not about who started rank war or who won magnanimity war.

It was simply goodness story of two soldiers, new from the official versions.

The disc showed the ugly side grapple war and how the forefront of two nations – of a nature in pursuit of a bigger Arab state, another in be of interest of liberation of the blessed Shia city of Karbala – send thousands of young rank and file to the frontline.

I believe wooly job as a film-maker esteem to make people pause ride think twice.

If this single makes one person rethink efficient decision that puts lives surprise victory risk, it may have served its purpose.

You can watch Jiyar’s documentary A Tale of Deuce Soldiers (in Farsi) by click click here