Following up on his masterfully told art house successes The Children of Heaven and The Color of Paradise, Majid Majidi directs this quietly affecting tale about illegal Afghan immigrants living and working in Iran. The film centers on Latif (Hossein Abedini), a young Iranian man who buys provisions and makes (awful) tea for the workers of a construction site. At the film's outset, an Afghan worker named Najaf falls from the second story and breaks his leg. A widower with five children to feed,
Najaf is in dire financial straits. He sends his teenaged son Rahmat to the site under the care of family friend Solan. The teenager proves to be a lousy worker but a whiz at making tea. After one mistake too many, Memar -- the foreman -- has Latif hauling bags of plaster and puts Rahmat on tea detail -- a task which the lad proves to be quite a talent in. Rahmat also paints the kitchen, changes the curtains, and makes other rather unusual changes to the normally rough-and-tumble construction site. Soon everyone, save the resentful Latif, is eating lunch at an actual table bedecked with a tablecloth. Latif's anger and jealousy evaporates, however, once he makes a surprising discovery. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto and AFI Film Festivals. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi
The film is remarkable for the naturalistic acting of its cast, particularly the tender performances of the two leads, Hossein Abedini and Zahra Bahrami.
It reminds us of what a film can be when it's drawn from the heart of an artist who believes in the medium as something more than a product or commodity.
Baran isn't the most transporting or gripping film from Iran -- or, indeed, by its director -- but it's a worthy companion to the many fine, focused films emerging from that most surprising of nations.
It was a very interesting look at life in Iran. Little more can be said for it. The premise was rather obsurd. After hating the person who took his job, he finds out it is a woman and suddenly gives up everything for her. All this without ever saying anything to her. She of course, has no interest. The acting wasn't
particularly good. The pace was okay, but nothing special to hold a person's interest.
Baran" is a simple, human, beautiful, touching, wonderful story. Exposing the situation of the Afghans refugees in Iran, after the Sovjet invasion, their civil war and the Taliban regime, this film also gives a lesson of humanity, sympathy and generosity. The actors and actresses have very realistic performances,
showing an excellent direction and the character Baran does not speak any word along the story, using only her facial expression to disclose her inner feelings. And the sacrifice of Lateef to please the family of "Baran" shows a pure and platonic love. BARAN is another excellent film that qualifies as one more of the finest Iranian dramas. Off course from Majid Majidi. Who else?
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