The Traveller

A while back someone, I think it was a filmspotter, shared a link to a website that posted pictures from Iran in the 1970’s.   The pictures portrayed modern dressed men and women interacting together. So this was what pre-Iranian Revolution 1979 looked like. I also noticed the same type of clothes and behavior in the film The Traveler. I wouldn’t have known it was an Iranian film, by sight only. Recently, the director Abbas Kiarostami, worked to have two filmmakers released from prison and it made me wonder how his movies differ from one regime to the next.

My first reaction to the main character, Quassem, was, “you little punk." I laughed a little when I saw that the film was made for the Center forIntellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, which Abbas Kiarostami worked for. So, it was a message film. I still think he’s a punk, but I empathize a little more with him after I thought about his life and circumstances. His mother was illiterate and couldn’t help him with homework or real motivation, except to ineffectually yell at him. His father was referred to as someone who beat him regularly. I could see why he looked for escape, namely soccer. With that background, his story became pretty sad.

I didn’t love the movie (nor did I love Certified Copy), but I really loved some of the filming. The corridors Quassem ran down were really beautifully shot and the empty stadium with the papers scattering in the wind was another great visual.

Since Jean-Luc Godard said, “Film begins with D.W. Griffith and ends with Abbas Kiarostami.” I believe I need to see more of his work. What next? Close-Up? Taste of Cherry?