An Interview with Bahram Bahramian, Director of" Aal"

No Ghost But Very Scary

Iranian cinema became interested in Bahram Bahramian who has been very successful with "Hourglass" TV series. He wasn't far away from dnema before it but he worked as programmer f set manager, director assistant, and director of special effects. However f it was the cause for his fame and Iranian cinema fou nd his cinematic abilities. Among high numbers of producers who wanted to cooperate with this young director that was AU Moallem who started work ittill another scary movie of Iranian cinema is made by Bahram Bahramian.

Why did you make a scary movie? As you know some of Iranian directors experienced this genre but they took smile instead of scare! You were so brave to do that.

Why not? When I decided to make "Aal", I wasn't worried about it for becoming fun and I think I won't be after public screening. However, I will wait until screening to see if the prejudge of Iranian audiences is occurred about "Aal" or not. If not, it means that my and my cooperators' work was done correct and it means also good subject, good text, and right logic of scare.

"Aal" is horror or thriller?

We cannot count "Aal" as a scary movie but the concept is categorized to different parts; from blood scary to thriller: In fact, whenever a film has a panic atmosphere, we use the "scary" word for it. "Aal" is not categorized as a blood scary or a ghost one, it is better to say that "Aal" is a thriller

Let's talk about screenplay which is written by Bahram Azimij how much did it change from the first version to shooting?

I'm not agreeing with "change", its better to say that it was repaired not change. In fact in companion with Amir Pouria, Ali Moallem, Ahmad Rafeezadeh and other writers, I walked in the way that had two edges; smile and scare, but because of getting these people's help I could be more assure. The script was written four times and every time it was done with deep changes from the last version, but the main idea is belonged to Bahram Azimi.

Before shooting, or even before that, did you review important thrillers or horrors of the world and Iranian cinema?

Generally, in all of movies that I want to make them I start to research and one of the most important parts of the research process is watching the films which are in the same genres and levels of mine. However, I cannot tell you how much did it affect and this is not a measurable thing, meanwhile creativity and innovation is important too. .I'm not interested in repetition in cinema, even the best ones.

Everything about New Demon "Aal"

In public beliefs of Iranian, Qafqazian and middle Asians and some of the people of southern Russia, "Aal" is a mythical creature who hurts women who already bring a new baby, or some who are pregnant, then, she injured their new babies. In Iran they are called "Aal" but they have other names in other regions; "Aal" or "Aalak" in Armenia, "Aal" in Kordestan, "Hall" or "Khall" in Afghanistan and Tajikestan, "Albasti" or "Almasti" in middle Asia and Halmasti" in Kashmir and Badakhshan.

What Are They Look Like?

In Iran, they look like thin old woman with very long and thin fingers, red or white hair, big eyes, red face, clay or cream nose. In middle Asia they are fat and very ugly and hairy. In Afghanistan they are young women with long teeth and nails, oblique eyes and front heels.

- daily bulletin fajr film festival