People of the Wind

People of the Wind is a captivating documentary film that portrays the nomadic way of life of the Bakhtiari, an Iranian tribe. The movie, directed by Anthony Howarth, was released in 1976 and features the narration of the legendary English actor James Mason. He tells the story of the Bakhtiari tribe's annual migration, which involved traversing hundreds of miles from their winter pastures to the summer grazing areas in the Zagros Mountains.

The film is shot entirely on location with a focus on the breathtaking landscapes of Iran. It was made using 16mm film, which gives it a distinct vintage feeling, and a sense of authenticity that is hard to find in modern-day documentaries. People of the Wind is an impressive showcase of the Bakhtiari people's way of life, their customs and their relationship with nature.

The documentary follows the Bakhtiari tribe as they prepare for their annual migration. It's a time of great excitement and anticipation for the tribe as they pack up their entire lives and move across the rough terrain of the Zagros Mountains, they use goatskin bags and long poles to transport their families, livestock, and belongings. The film highlights the incredible endurance of the Bakhtiari people and their livestock, who had to cross raging rivers, steep cliffs, and scorching deserts to reach their destination. The journey took four months and covered 1,200 miles!

The Bakhtiari people are a fascinating tribe with a rich culture and long history. The documentary showcases their magnificent clothing, jewelry, and their skills in sheep shearing and carpet weaving. It also displays how the tribe lived in close harmony with nature, as they used herbal medicines to treat ailments, and hunted animals only for their basic needs without waste.

People of the Wind is as much a story of human resilience as it is a tribute to nature's majesty. The Bakhtiari people relied on nature for their survival and were deeply thankful for its abundant gifts. The film shows us the many ways the tribe celebrated the mountains, the rivers, and the animals, not just as resources for their livelihoods but as living entities deserving respect and admiration.

The soundtrack is as mesmerizing as the visuals, composed and performed by Shusha Guppy, an Iranian singer who also appears in the film. Her songs add an additional layer of emotion and depth to the movie, making it a sensory experience that transports viewers to another world.

Throughout the movie, James Mason's narration adds to the visual spectacle of the film. His gravitas and English accent add a sense of formality to the proceedings, but he ensures that he stays out of the way of the action, allowing the Bakhtiari people's stories to speak for themselves.

People of the Wind is not just a documentary about the Bakhtiari tribe, but an ode to human resilience, a tribute to nature, and a celebration of different ways of life. The movie is a journey in every sense of the word, taking us through landscapes that are unique and awe-inspiring, through characters who are vibrant and charismatic, and through a culture that is both ancient and enduring. People of the Wind is a sublime and moving film that offers a glimpse into a world that is fast disappearing from our memory.