This week, the documentary The Neighbours directed by Khalil Rashnavi is being broadcast on the “Aparat” program of BBC Persian.

About the film

What do you think the relationship between a cleric and a dog could be like? Is a dog considered impure?

We live in a time when the relationship between humans and animals has become closer than ever. In many places, dogs and cats have become like family members and freely move around towns and cities. The film The Neighbours is about this relationship, especially how it is challenged by religious beliefs.

In recent years, many families in Iran have welcomed pets, especially dogs, into their homes. However, the Islamic government does not like dogs, and some religious figures consider dogs “impure” based on certain interpretations. In this situation, The Neighbours asks an important question: how can a cleric, as a human being, relate to a dog or other living beings?

The film’s approach

Directed by Khalil Rashnavi, The Neighbours looks at this sensitive topic with a calm and narrative style. Using his understanding of local culture, the filmmaker focuses on this real and complicated subject: the conflict between religious beliefs and social reality.

By following the main character closely and avoiding black-and-white judgment, the film raises questions about the right of peaceful coexistence between humans and other creatures.

About the director

Khalil Rashnavi, born in 1982 in Andimeshk, Iran, is best known in literary circles and is a winner of the Hedayat Prize. He began filmmaking in 2012 and has directed several documentaries including Smoke Fish, Chicken Life, and Mourning Companions. One of his key features is working in multiple roles – director, cinematographer, sound recordist, and editor – in his own films.