Midnight of the Shah. Ilham Rahimov

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      Based on novels of Ilham Rahimov "Oriental carpet" and "Midnight of the shah"

1.INT. DARK ROOM SOMEWHERE IN TEHRAN, IRAN. FEBRUARY, 4 1949

      Young man Nasser Fakhraray is getting ready to attempt the assassination of the Shah of Iran. The leader of the terrorist group Navab Safavi who is also in the room gives him final instructions.

      Safavi

      Be careful, Nasser. Approach the target as close as you can. You must not miss him!

      Fakhraray

      Don’t worry, brother. I will do everything as you told me.

      Safavi

      There will be a lot of bodyguards. You must not let them capture you! Do you hear me?

      Fakhraray

      I will not fail you, brother.

      Safavi

      May Allah be with you my brother! People of Iran will always remember and respect you as a hero. All martyrs will go to Jannet (Paradise) In sh Allah!

      Safavi hugs Fakhraray and places a gun inside of a camera, then wraps the camera in black silk scarf. Fakhraray leaves the room.

2.INT. The Shah’s palace in Tehran.

      The Shah of the Iran Mohammed Reza Pahlavi stands in front of a mirror. Palace hairdresser styles his hair. The Shah enjoys his new uniform. The Chief of his personal security service colonel Muhtadir Ikrami enters the room.

      Ikrami

      We are ready, Your Majesty!

3.EXT. Surroundings of the University of Tehran.

      Big crowd of people awaits for the Shah.

      Voice from the crowd

      Shah is here!

      Escort of vehicles approaches. The Shah’s limousine stops. Colonel Ikrami opens the door to let the Shah out of the vehicle. People cheer.

      Voice from the crowd

      May Allah bless our Shah!

      Nasser Fakhraray watches Pahlavi through his camera where the gun is concealed. He slowly moves toward the Shah. He takes the gun out and shoots. People start to scream, causing chaos and commotion. Bodyguards shoot Fakhraray dead. Colonel Ikrami gets the Shah into the limousine and drives him away. The spectators flee from the scene. Bleeding body of Fakhraray lies still on the empty street. One of the officers comes up to the dead body, pulls Nasser’s head up by his hear and looks in his lifeless eyes.

      Officer

      Scum.

4. INT.  Hospital in Tehran.

      The Shah lies on the hospital bed. His cheek is wounded, his blood scattered military coat hangs on a chair. Scared and panicky, he looks at colonel Ikrami sternly.

      Shah

      I am waiting for your explanation, Muhdadir.

      Ikrami

      He is dead, Your Majesty.

      Shah

      You have killed him, huh? I saw the face of that bastard. He was just a few steps away from me. If he had been a little more proficient or a better aim I would be dead too! This happened because of negligence and stupidity of my security service. Maybe one of my bodyguards is an accomplice? Maybe you too have a desire of my death, Muhtadir?

      Ikrami

      He was shooting chaotically in every direction and could have easily killed me as well. How would I dare to desire your death, Your Majesty? I was loyal servant of your late father and now I honestly serve you.

      Shah

      I don’t have a heir. Everything could have been ruined this damn morning. I know people don’t like weak monarchs. What they need is a powerful, ruthless ruler who can protect himself and his country. Allah miraculously saved me today. It is the sign from above. This means I have to carry out some epic, holy mission and I will do just that. I will smash all my enemies and sweep out red evil spirit from the streets of Iran. I will do that Muhtadir. I will build gallows in every corner of Tehran to hang communists. Do you hear me?

      Ikrami

      As you say, Your Majesty!

      Shah

      Get out!

      Colonel bows and leaves the room.

5.EXT. Outskirts of Tehran.Evening.

      Rustam Kerimi is a former teacher of ancient history now spy and consul in USSR Embassy in Iran. He leans on his car and looks at a lonely cypress tree in the wastelands in front of him. This tree gets his thoughts back to the past life in Baku, Azerbaijan.

      Flashback .EXT. Azerbaijan. Baku. Spring 1935.  Ateshgah  –  Zoroastrian temple in Surakhani (suburb of Baku)  with 4 burning flames in every corner of the rooftop.

      Kerimi tells to the group of students about history of that shrine of fire worshipers and other historical facts about Zoroastrianism.

      Kerimi

      The idea of Zarathustra (Zoroastr) reflected in the Gats – ancient parts of the Avesta. Avesta is a holy book of Zoroastrianism. According to Zarathustra Ahouramasda is God of life, light and truth. Ahouramasda has an opponent – Ahriman. Ahriman symbolizes evil, darkness and the death. It is clear to us that there will be everlasting struggle between the power of light and the dark army of evil.

      Student

      Who has created human being?

      Kerimi

      Good question! According to Zarathustra human beings were created by Ahouramasda, and he gave humans a right to choose between evil and good, light and darkness, and even life and death. Look over there at those cypress trees, please. Over there (pointing). In Zoroastrianism cypress tree is a symbol of life…

      Flashback is over. EXT. Back in Tehran wasteland.

      A light of an approaching car reflects on the cypress tree and distracts Kerimi from his memories. He instinctively checks his gun under his coat. That other car stops and colonel Ikrami still sitting starts talking to Kerimi from the open window.

      Ikrami

      Too cold to talk in the open air this evening.

      Kerimi

      Salam Alleykum, colonel.

      Ikrami

      Alleykuma Salam. Don’t touch your gun, Rustam. Weapon doesn’t suit you. You are too intelligent to be violent. Follow me.

      Kerimi gets into his car and follows the colonel.

6.INT. Zorhana building. Zorhana is a national wrestling tradition of Iran and Azerbaijan.

      Kerimi and the colonel enter into Zorhana where the athletes are training. Dozens of wrestlers in black pants and with naked torsos warm up to the sound of tonback(small oriental drum) and verses of murshid (declaimer). Chubby man meets colonel Ikrami and Rustam Kerimi. His name is Jannetali.

      Ikrami

      My dear uncle, Jannetali! Long time no see.

      Jannetali

      If I had been 30 years younger I would have kicked your ass.

      Ikrami (laugh)

      I remember your punishment, it was very painful.

      Jannetali

      You are a busy man now so I forgive your long absence.

      Ikrami (points to Kerimi)

      My friend, Rustam Kerimi

      Kerimi

      Glad