ISNA: A Decade with “Houbara” and Its Complexities

The documentary Houbara, created over a span of nearly 10 years, evolved from an ethological study into a socio-environmental film. Its creators, Fathollah Amiri and Nima Asgari, endured many challenges along the way to bring attention to this unique and endangered bird.

According to ISNA, Houbara focuses on a rare bird often considered a symbol of Yazd Province. Although hunting the bird is prohibited, some individuals capture it in traps and smuggle it to Persian Gulf Arab countries.

Fathollah Amiri told ISNA, “In 2011, we decided to make a documentary about the Houbara Bustard, which took us to various cities and regions. Initially, we aimed to study the bird’s unique behavior, but as the project progressed, we uncovered unexpected and troubling issues such as illegal hunting, smuggling, and even the systematic destruction of its eggs. By 2014, three years into the project, our focus shifted from ethological observation to a socio-environmental narrative.”

He further explained that filming concluded just a few months ago in 2020. “In making documentaries like this, our goal goes beyond just creating a film. Sometimes, we put the camera aside and engage directly with the local community to create an impact. However, in the case of the Houbara and the lives of people living in its habitat, the challenges are vast, sometimes even reaching the level of social and economic catastrophe. Many of these people live under such dire conditions that the message of a documentary might not carry much weight compared to their daily struggle for survival.”

Amiri emphasized, “In Houbara, we aimed to portray the ecological state of the bird in Iran and the lives of those involved in its smuggling without bias toward any organization or group. We even risked our own lives to make this film. For instance, we were warned to leave the area while filming in Minab, and in Qatar, we had to shoot without proper permits.”

Amiri, whose previous film The Ranger was co-directed with Nima Asgari and showcased at a festival last year, mentioned that The Ranger was among the audience favorites but did not receive any nominations for awards, despite its success in international festivals. Regarding Houbara, he expressed his intent to prepare the film for screening at festivals worldwide. Given its sensitive subject matter, including references to Persian Gulf Arab countries, they will ensure the film avoids any misrepresentation, keeping in mind that such documentaries transcend cinema and touch upon broader issues.

In conclusion, he remarked on the virtual hosting of the Cinema Verite Documentary Festival, stating, “Given the COVID-19 situation, holding the festival online is a positive step, and I hope this feature continues in the future.”