Mohsen Makhmalbaf Focus: The Gardener

An Iranian filmmaker and his son travel to Israel to investigate a world religion with around seven million followers, which originated in Iran about 170 years ago. Youth from all over the world come to Haifa—the centre of this religion—to serve, and those who serve in the gardens that surround the holy places develop peace-loving attitudes through their interactions with nature.

During their investigation, the father and son disagree on the role of religion in today’s world and eventually separate to pursuit their own research. This documentary shows two different views on religion and two generations of Iranians.

The Gardener, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, South Korea/Israel/Iran/UK 2012, 87 mins