Nights of Mashad: Which serial killer inspired the Cannes-winning thriller?

Four years later his Un Certain Regard prize for his fantasy feature film borderSwedish director of Iranian origin Ali Abbas We offer diametrically opposite work. After participating in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, where she was awarded the prize for the interpretation of a woman for her actress. Zar Amir Ibrahimmovie Nights of Mashhad Now showing in French cinemas.

In this viscerally dark thriller, Zar Amir Ibrahim Plays Rahim, a journalist torn between his commitments and his beliefs, who investigates Syed Hanai, a war veteran who feels he is on a divine mission to “cleanse the city of Mashhad of its sin” by killing prostitutes. A young woman will put herself in danger to uncover the identity of the killer and restore truth and justice.

A serial killer who shook Iranian opinion

You should know that The Nights of Mashhad is based on a true story. Saeed Hanaei actually existed. Born in 1962, this war veteran turned Freemason killed sixteen women between 2000 and 2001 before being arrested by authorities.

This married man and father of three targeted sex workers and drug addicts in the city of Mashhad. He told the court that he started this round of femicide to root out corruption and cleanse the city of Mashhad of its sins, but also because his wife was mistaken for a prostitute.

The Iranian press nicknamed Sayed Hanai the Spider because he led victims to his home before strangling them and disposing of their bodies. After his arrest by the police, Iranian opinion was divided and some conservative residents of Mashhad became supportive and supported “his cause”. On April 8, 2002, Syed Hanai was found guilty and hanged in Mashad prison.