Director: Ahmad Reza Darvish
Cast: Arash Aasefi, Farhad Ghaemian, Hassan Pourshirazi
Rastakhiz is a 2014 Iranian historical war film directed by Ahmad Reza Darvish, depicting the Battle of Karbala and the stand of Imam Hossein against the forces of Yazid — an event that shaped the course of Islamic history and remains central to Shia Muslim identity across the world.
What is Rastakhiz about?
Set in the seventh century, the film unfolds the events leading to and culminating in the Battle of Karbala. Imam Hossein, grandson of the Prophet, refuses to pledge allegiance to Yazid's rule, choosing moral principle over political survival. With a small band of companions and family members, he makes his final journey toward Kufa, aware of the impossible odds awaiting him. The narrative traces his interactions with followers, the growing isolation of his position, and the weight of a decision that would reverberate through generations — all rendered against the sweeping landscape of the Iraqi desert in 680 CE.
Cast & crew
Director Ahmad Reza Darvish is one of Iran's foremost makers of large-scale religious and historical epics. Lead actor Arash Aasefi appears alongside Farhad Ghaemian and Hassan Pourshirazi, a veteran character actor widely recognized in Iranian drama. The three anchor a large ensemble production shot on an ambitious scale suited to the gravity of the subject.
Context & significance
The events at Karbala form one of the most emotionally resonant pillars of Shia Islamic tradition, observed annually during Ashura and Tasu'a across Iran and the broader diaspora. For Persian-speaking viewers living abroad, a cinematic treatment of this story carries cultural and spiritual weight that goes far beyond entertainment — it reconnects them with a shared narrative that informs everything from mourning rituals to political thought. Rastakhiz offers that connection in a high-production Iranian context, made by filmmakers who treat the subject with reverence and a clear sense of its historical stakes.
Where & how to watch
Rastakhiz is available on K-Time with original Persian audio. Stream it on your browser, TV, or phone with no extra download required and no geo-blocking. A K-Time subscription gives you the full catalog; cancel anytime.