And Along Came a Spider

A shocking portrait of the world of a recently captured serial killer, who sees his killing of prostitutes as in accordance with Islamic teaching. Over the space of a year, 16 women were murdered in the Iranian city of Mashad. Because the victims were lured into the killer's traps, the press soon called these the "spider killings." All but one of the victims had previously been arrested for prostitution and drug-related crimes. When a 39-year-old contractor is arrested and confesses to the crimes, he claims divine support for his crimes. His mother, wife, son, and many neighbors agree. AND ALONG CAME A SPIDER visits with the families of the victims, with the perpetrator and his family, and with prostitutes in this holy city. Most chillingly, the killer's son proudly re-enacts a murder, and suggests that he wants to grow up to be like his father. This is a chilling film about cycles of moral vengeance.

Country:

Iran

Genre:

Documentary

Duration:

118 minutes

Year:

2003

Director:

Maziar Bahari

Cast:
Haleh Anvari

Narrator

Saeed Hanaei

Himself

Roya Karimi

Herself

Crew:
Hosein Mahdavi

Sound Mixer

Maziar Bahari

Writer

Sheila Nevins

Executive Producer

Sara Bernstein

Associate Producer

Maziar Bahari

Editor