In Tehran, state television’s Channel Two is putting on a “Lord of the Rings” marathon, part of a bigger push to keep us busy. Movie mad and immunized from international copyright laws, Iranians are normally treated to one or two Hollywood or European movie nights a week. Now it’s two or three films a day. The message is “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” Let’s watch, forget about what’s happened, never mind. Stop dwelling in the past. Look ahead.

andrewsullivan@theatlantic.com

If this report is an accurate depiction of the regime’s intention and goal, then The Lord of the Rings trilogy was the wrong choice and the regime has unwittingly chosen a film that will inspire and motivate the resistance, rather than lull and distract. Iran is the land of Hafiz and Rumi, lovers of poetry. I suspect that the symbolism within the LRT, particularly its central theme, will not be lost on Iranians, assuming people are even watching state tv in Iran.

LRT was released during the Saturn Pluto opposition between 2001-2003. Archetypally, one of the characteristics of this combination has to do with the wise use of power, its temptations and tests (personified by Aragorn). During Saturn Pluto periods, such as the first term of the Bush Administration and the 911 terrorist attack, the duality of light and dark become extreme or polarized and that dichotomy pervades the film. The central theme or plot of the trilogy unsurprisingly reflects the nature of these archetypal forces.

The Ayatollah Khameini’s hold on power in Iran – symbolized by the ring – is being severely tested by a resistence movement from below and above within the clerical and political establishment. It remains to be seen as events unfold if the ring will be returned to Mordor and destroyed or if Sauron will prevail. It is now 30 years since the 1979 revolution. A cycle has been completed. My sense is that Iran has outgrown its current form of government and something new which encompasses the democratic aspirations of the people and a new cultural vision is demanding to be born.

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By: Helena on June 25th, 2009
at 1:55 pm