Bassidji in Persian mean acting for a concrete purpose. In Iran it also means a muslim man who dedicates his life for the protection of islam and whose ultimate goal is to die as martyr. They form the organisation called Bassidj resistance, which permeates all areas of life and layers of society in Iran. It is not officially part of the state, but the organisation is supported and favoured by the rulers. Through Bassidjis Iran's islamistic leaders reinforce their power. The Bassidjis played an important role in thwarting the opposition's demonstrations that took place after latest elections. BASSIDJI is the result of director Mehran Tamadon's three-year study of the world of the Bassidjis - his interviews with men who have chosen that road. The fact the author of the movie is an atheist living in France has not undermined the direct and open nature of the interviews. The director tries to and succeeds in getting into the mindset of the Bassidjis, and uncovers their motivations and worldviews, which make them blindly and without doubts to follow the wishes of Ayatollah Khomeini. BASSIDJI is a film that is dark and with a scent of death to it. The Bassidjis consider themselves victims, whom the rest of the world tries to suppress. At the same time they praise death for islam and live in the hope that they become martyrs. "Between seduction and rhetoric games, moments of truth and the reality of the political and religious system they support, how far are we ready to give up some of our respective convictions to perceive and understand one another?" Mehran Tamadon