MIRDAD, A LIGHTHOUSE AND A HAVEN

Synopsis

NEIL, a tourist in a Mideast city in 1948, hears the story of MIRDAD, a mysterious stranger who, in the late 1800s, came to live at "The Ark" - a monastery built on top of the highest mountain around to prevent mankind from forgetting about the Flood, as a last request from Noah to his son, Shem. Feeling called by a dream, Neil climbs the mountain. The next morning he meets SHAMADAM, the senior monk. After they talk, Shamadam gives him a book containing the facts that happened during the time Mirdad stayed with them.

The Ark was peopled by eight monks and Shamadam, who when first met Mirdad felt no compassion for the stranger, allowing him to enter, but only as a servant. Mirdad serves them humbly for 7 years, never saying a word.

Neil begins to read the book, and the action continues on the night Mirdad breaks his silence, where he teaches about several matters, being the strength of his words the cause of a great upheaval in their life.

In the following afternoon, inside a grotto, Mirdad dispels the doubts of the monks and teaches about Love, Judgment, and the Golden Rules to avoid suffering. The monks realize Mirdad is a true Master and must be followed. Mirdad sings, and Nature listens.

Shamadam, in order to reestablish his authority, tries to bribe the monks.

During a meeting, Mirdad is asked a question and transfers the answer to a dialogue between 2 Archangels, and we see it through many sacred events of Man's history. Then we see 2 Archdemons, who talk about the dark ones. The action returns to the grotto and Shamadam, very nervous, argues with Mirdad and tries to expel him, but the monks don't take his side.

Shamadam has Mirdad kidnapped and thrown into the Black Pit. Two searches take place where Shamadam fakes his interest in helping the monks, but Mirdad is not found. The next day, at a celebration, Mirdad dramatically returns, watched by Shamadam with tears in his eyes.

The Prince of Bethar, secretly asked by Shamadam, has a tense debate with Mirdad about several matters. Finally, he reveals the real purpose of his visit and orders his soldiers to take Mirdad away in chains.

After almost two months of sadness, Shamadam tries to win back the monks' friendship by trying to justify his actions, but to no use.

With much suspense and to the extreme happiness of the monks, Mirdad returns. He then confronts Shamadam, who out of fear fakes his surrender. Mirdad reveals the Prince’s conversion which makes Shamadam faint.

The coming of another celebration makes Shamadam revive. He tries again to affirm his authority as Senior, threatening Mirdad and the monks about the proceedings of the festivity.

The events take place as scheduled until the arrival of the Prince's emissary, who reads the Prince's message, which finally makes Shamadam realize the fight is over. Under loud ovation, Mirdad climbs up to the platform and teaches the crowd about several important matters. The image freezes and the action returns to Neil, who finishes reading the book and smiles, moved with a sense of wonder. He looks toward the grotto and becomes very serious. A beast-like rock is seen, which looks a lot like Shamadam. Neil, still serious, looks to camera.