On Thursday, Fathollah Amiri announced in an exclusive interview with IRNA that the documentary Life in Cold Veins (Reptiles of Ilam) focuses on the lives and challenges faced by 20 different species of reptiles inhabiting the Ilam province. Some of these species have been introduced and filmed for the first time ever.
Amiri added that Life in Cold Veins will be screened for the first time at the 32nd Fajr International Film Festival in the documentary cinema section.
The Ilam-based director highlighted the Iranian Spider-tailed Viper as the most notable reptile featured in this documentary, which has been captured on film for the first time.
Amiri noted that this viper is an endemic and unique species to Ilam province.
He further explained that one of the main goals of this documentary is to showcase the diversity of reptiles in Ilam, despite its small geographical area, and to highlight the challenges these animals face in their struggle for survival.
This Ilam-based documentary filmmaker emphasized that the filming of this documentary took place in habitats such as the Manesh Heights, Kabir Kuh, Dinar Kuh, rivers, gypsum knolls in the west, and sand dunes in the southern regions of Ilam province.
This young Ilam director, who has previously worked on the project Life in Eclipse, added that 90% of the filming for Life in Cold Veins was done in natural settings, with the remaining 10% shot on set.
Amiri cited the large volume of footage as the reason for the extended production process and the late submission of Life in Cold Veins to the 32nd Fajr International Film Festival.
He also noted that this documentary was produced using the latest global technologies in HD quality.
Amiri mentioned that the original idea and proposal for making a film about Ilam’s reptiles came from Dr. Behzad Fathinia, a herpetologist from Ilam, whose PhD dissertation focused on the Spider-tailed Viper.
The producer of the documentary on Ilam’s reptiles added, “After Dr. Fathinia’s proposal, I initially hesitated to take on the project, believing that the small province of Ilam lacked diversity in reptilian species. However, after encountering the Spider-tailed Viper for the first time with guidance from local farmer Mahmoud Mansouri, and starting my research on Ilam’s reptiles, I realized the richness of Ilam’s wildlife, especially in reptilian diversity, which ultimately led to the creation of the documentary Life in Cold Veins.”
Amiri emphasized that the production team of Life in Cold Veins was fortunate to discover several rare and unique reptile species native to Ilam during the course of filming.
This documentary, with a runtime of 63 minutes, was produced by the Ilam Broadcasting Center and commissioned by the National TV Broadcasting of the Provinces, and produced by the Wildlife Image Institute.
Mehdi Nourmohammadi, the cinematographer of Life in Cold Veins, is also participating in the 32nd Fajr Film Festival with his film In the Shelter of Oak.
For the first time, Ilam province is participating in the Fajr Film Festival with two documentaries: Life in Cold Veins and In the Shelter of Oak.
National Park of Kavir and In the Domain of the Spider-tail are other works currently being produced by the experienced Ilam documentary filmmaker.
The production team of the documentary on Ilam’s reptiles is as follows:
- Producer and Director: Fathollah Amiri
- Researcher: Dr. Behzad Fathinia
- Director of Photography: Mehdi Nourmohammadi
- Editor: Majid Mohammad Doost
- Composer: Babak Mirzakhani
- Sound Designer: Majid Mohammad Doost and Farzad Jafarian
- Sound Recorder: Hadi Karimi
- Narrator: Nader Goharsoudi
Alamto, a Reptile Wonderland
Embark on a captivating journey into the heart of Iran’s unique biodiversity with Alamto: A Reptile Wonderland. This extraordinary documentary takes you deep into the rugged landscapes of Ilam, where the ancient Zagros Mountains have shaped a habitat unlike any other on earth.
In this land of extremes, a remarkable variety of rare and exotic reptiles thrive, adapting to the harsh climatic conditions and challenging terrain. Among them is one of the most mysterious creatures ever caught on camera: the Spider-tailed Horned Viper. For the first time, this elusive viper is showcased in stunning detail, revealing its fascinating behavior and struggle for survival.
Alamto: A Reptile Wonderland is more than just a wildlife documentary; it is a breathtaking exploration of nature’s resilience. Filmed in the western reaches of Iran, this film offers an unprecedented glimpse into a world where rare species fight against the odds to continue their existence. Prepare to be amazed by the extraordinary wildlife that calls this wonderland home.
