The Song of Scorpions preview: Folklorish tale of love, revenge and healing

Directed by Anup Singh of Qissa (a 2013 Indian-German drama film in Punjabi) fame, and starring Irrfan Khan and Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani, The Song Of Scorpions, is an intense story of love, revenge and healing set against the backdrop of the vast Thar desert. 

Scorpion stings are a common occurrence in the Thar desert and the healing powers of Nooran (Golshifteh Farahani), taught by her grandmother Zubaida (Waheeda Rahman), are much sought after. Nooran has been trained since a young age to use her beautiful singing voice to force the poison out of the people's bodies. Her act can also be looked at as a symbol to cleanse the mind of the toxins or evil, along with the body.

Aadam (Irrfan Khan), who is besotted by Nooran and has been stalking her for a long time, finally decides to her hand in marriage. But a terrible incident has turned Nooran's life around, raising doubts over whether she will ever be able to heal herself and others in pain. 

Madan Gopal Singh's lilting folk music and Swiss cinematographers Pietro Zuercher and Carlotta Holy-Steinemann haunting visuals light up this folklorish tale.

The Song of Scorpions will be screened at the Bay Area South Asian Film Festival 2018 on 22 September at 6:45pm at Mountain View Centre For Performing Arts.