Iranian Religious Cinema, a Comparison between the Features, Kavir and Gadamgāh

Using the medium of cinema to convey religious concepts and messages is part of media activities in contemporary world. This usage is sometimes very naïve and simple and sometimes is generated from a deep understanding of religion, media and the necessities of each. In the first case the religious movie is confined to a specific religion and its theme seems like a slogan. In the second case the religious movie will include the shared divine and human messages among religions. As such it will become interesting for a vaster range of the audience, without disappointing them with simple slogans.In this article, while comparing two movies i.e Kavir (the Desert), and Ghadamgah (the Station), as examples for the first and second kind of cinema, it is argued that the religious cinema of the second kind, being multilayered and artistic, will be effective and successful in respect to its aims, whereas the first kind will work against itself and its aims, and actually will alienate the audience from real religion.