A Fishing Journey

A Fishing Trip tells the story of Captain Azmoon and 
seven of his sailors who set off to fish at the and 
of the fishing season when the empty sea can 
promise no catch. 

For producer Ibrahim Mokhtari, his documentary A Fishing Journey serves as an interesting test case of making a documentary amidst uncertain and unpredictable circumstances. Here is a somewhat liberal English rendition of his description:

Prior to commencing on the expedition, the fishing crew gave us an optimistic outlook for a rewarding fishing trip promising a big catch. In reality, they were to venture all this outside the normal fishing season. As a result, a few days turn out to be without result, no actual fishing taking place compelling the expedition to get fish from a passing by launch to feed themselves. Hence, many aspects of the documentary reflect the dismal prospects of the fishermen. There was frustration of the filming crew who aimed to film them in action. Without nding a shoal there was no footage there won't be much substance in a documentary on fishing. Another morning passed away in a new pursuit with no fish in sight. The futile struggle proved agonizing to the extent that the producer asked the captain to return back. Some boatmen inform the producer that on occasions, they are compelled to return home empty handed. This dimension in fact brought forth the tribulations a fisherman's life goes through - the true face of those fishermen's tough and trying trade not usually covered in films which tend to portray thriving fishing trade with a boatful of catch.

This observation made me think of a different dimension and I resumed filming without further ado. This time, the aim was to capture the search, looking for possible fishing sites. We used up the remaining two days supplies of fuel and food documenting the endurance of fishermen trying to find sustenance in an off-season period.  

For further details see:

Mokhtari: Trials of documentary film making

http://www.sourehcinema.com/SCO/FSS/Images/MAG/32/PDF/page73-82.pdf

 http://www.ravy.ir/content296657.html

Documentary & Experimental Film Centre

http://www.defc.ir/festival/JurorBiography.php?id=46&fid=1&yearId=9 

http://www.afarineshdaily.ir/afarinesh/News.aspx?NID=33524

مختاري "يک سفر صيادي"

Producer's own blog http://www.ebrahimmokhtari.com/indexf.htm

http://www2.irib.ir/cima%20film/htmls/en/doc/fisherman.htm

http://www.ebrahimmokhtari.com/Yek%20safar%20sayadi.htm

 Other documentaries Zinat a fisherman's nurse wife

 http://www.ebrahimmokhtari.com/middle%20of%20way.htm

 Detailed bio: life and works

http://vista.ir/?view=article&id=329358

A Memo on Mukhtari

http://filmism.blogfa.com/post-3.aspx

News item on Mukhtari

http://patoghu.com/forum/thread68605.html

http://cinema-tv-teater.blogfa.com/cat-4.aspx

Information on Iran Movies Data Base

http://www.sourehcinema.com/People/People.aspx?id=138201070233

http://www.sourehcinema.com/People/People.aspx?id=138201070233