From The Mat is a visual journey through the world of wrestling in Iran and the lore of the intergenerational keepers of Iran's most sacred martial art and capsule of heritage.

The film, constructed as a traveling mosaic and moving meditation, will aim to understand a place and a people throughout Iran –– from the south of the country, through Shiraz where Greco-Roman wrestling reigns, through the heart of the country, and to the epicenter of Iranian wrestling and arguably the world –– the lush region of Mazandaran, regionally regarded as the Wrestling belt, nestled along the Caspian Sea.

Beyond just a sport, Wrestling in Iran has served as a crucible and keeper of tradition for generations. Propelled by growing international interest in the ancient sport, Iranian wrestling – the greatest Wrestling culture – has come into its own golden age.

“From the Mat” refers to the colloquial identifier that exists globally among those who have wrestled. No matter their current vocation, reality, or culture those “From the Mat” have a bond that is unspoken.

My aim is to examine and reveal a culture that is globally enigmatic and misrepresented by using a sport and way of life that defines the ultimate spirit of Iran.

Scenes of Wrestlers, coaches and their families in moments that are both mundane and monumental will combine to communicate Iran’s deep culture and provide glimpses of the complex ways the Iranian community’s collective image is integrated into our visual imagination –– thus creating a new reference point and understanding of an enigmatic nation and people.

This film fills in the gaps between what we think Iran is and what it actually is through a specific subculture that is the nation’s greatest point of pride, trumpeting the beauty of life and consequences of the social construction of being Iranian in today’s world, while simultaneously offering a testament to dreaming despite the odds for the wrestlers, families, and communities that live life according to the sport.

"From the Mat" a film by Mohammad Gorjestani

Donate now to support the film's first production trip to Iran this summer 🎥

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