Each year on the first day of Muharram, the “sacred month” millions of Shia Muslims all over the world begin ten days of mourning in remembrance of the death and martyrdom of Imam Husseyn, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, in the year 680 A.D. The tenth day known as Ashura sees a climax full of energy, devotion, pain and self inflicted suffering unlike any other event or occasion. The mourning is marked by black attire, rhythmic chanting, ritual self flagellation which begins with slaps to the upper body, progresses to hard hitting fists on bare chests and finally climaxes to chains and knives which inflict deep wounds on the back resulting in rivers of blood.

This film is about symbolism and ritual. About what people do. The rites of the first ten days of Muharram as commemorated in and around South Asia, which is home to the largest population of shias in the world.