New film tells story of struggle, spiritual journey and artful mastery of Mishkin-Qalam
A new documentary telling the story of master artist and calligrapher Mishkin-Qalam is set to be released in November.
Translating to ‘The Musk-Black Pen’, Mishkin-Qalam was the leading 19th-century calligrapher of Persia (modern-day Iran). A master of calligraphy and nailscript, which involves the use of a fingernail to inscribe artistic imagery onto specially prepared paper, he was also an astronomer, a Sufi, and one of the 19 Apostles of the Baha’i Faith.
Filmed and produced in Cyprus, the island to which the artist was exiled for 19 years, the film explores the staggering struggle of his physical and spiritual journey. His adamant and sincere belief in the oneness of humanity was the inspiration behind his work and the beauty he portrayed to the world.
Written, directed and produced by Cyprus-based Persian filmmaking couple Elnaz Nasehi and Arman Arian – respectively a film studies professor and a prolific, bestselling author – the film features historical dramatic reenactments, animations produced in the Middle Eastern ‘miniature’ style, as well as Persian, Greek and Turkish language interviews (dubbed in English) with scholars and family members based around the world.
The film’s soundtrack was composed and produced by the great-great-grandson of Mishkin-Qalam, Persian-Australian singer/songwriter Amir V Meshkin. Performed by ELViRiA, the world/rock/fusion collective he leads, its members include legendary Canadian-Australian rocker Jeff Martin of The Tea Party fame, award-winning Western Australian guitarist/bassist Roy Martinez, Anthony Cormican and Rob Grant as well as an ensemble of world music artists.
Forfeiting the luxurious life of the Persian royal palace for a lifetime of exile and imprisonment, all in pursuit of the principles of the unity of mankind and world peace, Mishkin-Qalam (1824-1912) survived to live on three different continents and produced a body of work of outstanding beauty despite being an exile and prisoner of the Ottoman Empire for some 50 years due to his beliefs.
Among the most recognisable images Mishkin-Qalam produced in various formats is of a rooster inscribed by Arabic calligraphy, representing the dawn of a new age of universal peace.
Mishkin-Qalam’s works are now displayed in galleries including the British Museum (London) and the Harvard Art Museums (Cambridge). They are also sold internationally by Sotheby’s Art Dealers.
“Today, there are numerous artists of note in exile – including filmmakers, actors and painters – who have been denied the freedom of individual expression by the oppressive regimes of their home countries,” Elnaz Nasehi writes. “Our historical documentary brings to light the themes of marginalisation and authenticity in art, and as such offers fresh insight that may give rise to greater inclusivity and acceptance in today’s world.”
The film will be released worldwide on 11 November 2026 and will be available for streaming through the official Mishkin-Qalam website.
Watch the trailer below:
Thanks for reading.
Subscribe
Horizons Team
The Horizons Team aims to cast a spotlight on how the Baha’i Faith’s society-building power is being released in ever-greater measures across this vast and diverse country of ours.
Published in October, 2026, in Baha'i Institutions > News & Announcements
Available online at: horizons.bahai.org.au/bahai-institutions/new-film-tells-story-of-struggle-spiritual-journey-and-artful-mastery-of-mishkin-qalam/
Related Stories
New leather-bound book of sacred texts to support community-building efforts
A softcover edition of a new major work published to support the many thousands of community-building endeavours unfolding across Australia and the world ...
Renovations to Baha’i Temple make marked progress
MONA VALE, NSW – Restorations to the Sydney Baha’i House of Worship continue to progress in earnest as part of the Dayspring of Light project, with excavation for landscaping and ...
Building Vibrant Communities: film explores educational efforts in Queensland
An educational process inviting one and all to become positive agents of change has been unfolding in a diversity of settings across Southern Queensland. In a new film ...
‘The purpose of service’: the evolution of the capacity-building program empowering Sydney’s youth
Young people in Sydney are strengthening their spiritual qualities while developing the practical capacities needed to contribute meaningfully to community-building efforts through an intensive ...
Biography of distinguished Baha’i Collis Featherstone officially launched
The family and friends of Hand of the Cause of God, Collis Featherstone, have gathered at the Sydney Baha’i House of Worship for the launch of the book Collis Featherstone – Hand of the ...
United in purpose: national governing body sends message of encouragement to Australian Baha’i community
With “hearts filled with abiding joy and gratitude”, the national governing body of the Baha’i Faith, the National Spiritual Assembly, has sent a message to the Baha’is of ...