AND ALONG CAME A SPIDER
Original language title: VAANKABAAT AMAD

Country of production: Iran
Year: 2002
Language: Farsi
53 mins.

A shocking portrait of the world of a recently captured serial killer, who sees his killing of prostitutes as in accordance with Islamic teaching. Over the space of a year, 16 women were murdered in the Iranian city of Mashad. Because the victims were lured into the killer's traps, the press soon called these the "spider killings." All but one of the victims had previously been arrested for prostitution and drug-related crimes. When a 39-year-old contractor is arrested and confesses to the crimes, he claims divine support for his crimes. His mother, wife, son, and many neighbors agree. AND ALONG CAME A SPIDER visits with the families of the victims, with the perpetrator and his family, and with prostitutes in this holy city. Most chillingly, the killer's son proudly re-enacts a murder, and suggests that he wants to grow up to be like his father. This is a chilling film about cycles of moral vengeance.

Director: Maziar Bahari
Script: Maziar Bahari
Cinematography: Maziar Bahari
Music: Payman Yazdanian
Editing: Maziar Bahari
Sound: Maziar Bahari
Producer: Maziar Bahari
Production Company: Indigo Factual
Source:
Indigo Factual
116 Great Portland Street
London, W1W 6PJ, UK
maziarbahari@yahoo.com

Maziar Bahari was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1967. In 1993, he graduated with a degree in communications from Concordia University in Montreal. He has since been active as a filmmaker, journalist, and playwright. Since 1998, Mr. Bahari has been NEWSWEEK magazine's Iran correspondent.

Monday, March 24
7pm
Facets Cinematheque
Screening with THE ROYAL WEDDING TAPES