| Taste
of Cherry
(Ta'm-e gilaas)
Winner of the top prize at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival, "Taste
of Cherry" is an existential fable of weight and clarity from director
Abbas Kiarostami. An Iranian man, Mr. Badi, is determined to commit suicide
at nightfall, but seeks a living assistant to check his hand-dug grave
the following morning. If Badi is dead, the person will fill the grave
with dirt; if not, he will help Badi out of the hole. Farsi with English
subtitles.
Ragbaar
(Downpour)
Bahram Bayzaie's unforgettable love story starring Parviz Fannizadeh,
Parvaneh Ma'sumi and Ali Keshavarz.
Where's
the Friend's Home
(KHaaneh-ye dust kojaast)
Abbas Kiarostami's lyrical tale about a traveler searching for his friend's
home who finds himself on an excursion through places and moments of great
beauty and wonder. Farsi with English subtitles.
Once
Upon a Time Cinema
(Nasseredin Actor-e Cinema)
A wonderful, fairy-tale like comedy set during the Qajar dynasty which
is a condensed history of Iranian cinema in general by the talented and
controversial Mohsen Makhmalbaf. Farsi with English subtitles.
The
Peddler
(Dastforush)
Makhmalbaf's breakthrough film is a made of three short tales set among
the poor of Tehran in a shockingly forthright film by Mohsen Makhmalbaf.
Farsi with English subtitles.
The
Travelers
(Mosaaferaan)
Bahram Beyzai's story of a wedding ceremony which turns into a funeral
wake when the bride's sister and her entire family are killed in a traffic
accident. "A brilliant exposition of the themes of death and predestination
..." Farsi with English subtitles.
Daayereh-ye
Mina
(The Circle)
Dariyush Mehrjuies classic film from 1977. Starring Ezzatollah Entezami,
Said Kangarani, Foruzan, and Ali Nasirian.
Arusi-ye
Khubaan
(Marriage of the Blessed)
One of Mohsen Makhmalbaf's best, "Arusi-ye Khubaan" tells
the story of shell-shocked Basiji volunteer soldier who feels the ideals
of the revolution have been betrayed. IN FARSI ONLY.
More on Page
2 |
The
White Balloon
(Baadkonak-e sefid)
Co-winner of the critic's Prize at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival, this
Iranian breakthrough feature tells the story of a young girl's desire for
a pretty goldfish to start the New Year's holiday. Snake charmers,
a lonely and talkative soldier and other assorted adults get in the way
of her goal. Script by Abbas Kiarostami.. Farsi with English subtitles.
Salaam
Cinema
An award-wining film by Mohsen Makhmalbaf who runs an ad in Tehran newspapers
indicating that he needs a few actors for his new movie. Several days later
few thousands young Iranian boys and girls show up for auditions. This
film portrays a unique side of Iranian society and the dreams and desires
of the young generation.
Bashu,
the Little Stranger
(Bashu gharibeh-ye kuchak)
Bahram Bayzaie's film about a little boy from the southern Iran whose
destiny takes him to the north. "Wondrous 'Bashu, the little stranger'
is a pure joy with laughter as well as tears, flawless (Los Angeles Times)".
Farsi with English subtitles.
The
Cyclist
(Baaysikelraan)
Mohsen Makhmalbaf's visually sophisticated film which deals with the
themes of man's exploitation of man and the inequities between rich and
poor. Farsi with English subtitles.
Gabbeh
Richly poetic and vibrantly colorful parable set among nomadic Iranians
and around an allegorical storytelling carpet. With Shaghayegh Djodat,
Abbas Sayahi, Hossein Moharami, Roghieh Moharami. Written and directed
by Mohsen Makhmalbaf. In Farsi with English subtitles.
Life
and Nothing More
(Zendegi va digar hich)
Abbas Kiarostami's film investigates the aftermath of a devastating
1990 earthquake which killed thousands of people in northern Iran. In many
ways the most beautiful and powerful Iranian film. Directed by Abbas Kiarostami.
Farsi with English subtitles.
Aqaay-e
Haalu
(The Idiot)
Pre-revolution classic. Starring Ezzatollah Entezami, Ali Nasirian and
Fakhri Khorvash.
More on Page
2 |
