Eastern Promise Abba Kiarostami Iran 83 min
A young boy sets off across the hills of rural Iran to return a school notebook he has taken by mistake in Abbas Kiarostami’s enchanting and deceptively simple world cinema classic.
When Ahmed accidentally takes home his classmate Mohammad’s notebook, he realises that his friend could be in serious trouble if he doesn’t return it. So, despite not knowing exactly where Mohammad lives, Ahmed sets off across the neighbouring village to find him. What follows is a simple but surprisingly suspenseful adventure, as Ahmed encounters a succession of adults who seem unable — or unwilling — to help.
Abbas Kiarostami turns this tiny parable like tale into something utterly charming and quietly magical. With its winding country roads, beautiful landscapes and wonderfully natural performances from its young cast, Where Is the Friend’s House? is funny, suspenseful and full of warmth. A landmark of Iranian cinema and frequently cited in best films ever made lists, it’s a delightful reminder that the smallest adventures can sometimes become the most memorable.
"Breathtakingly simple and beautifully observed fable" - Guardian
"An enthralling blend of low-key realism and a more thought-provoking, sometimes playful formalism” – Time Out
“A suspense thriller of pure conscience" – The Village Voice
Credits:
- Actor
- Babek Ahmedpoor, Ahmed Ahmedpoor, Khodabakhsh Defaei
- Director
- Abba Kiarostami
Running Time: 83 min
Year: 1987
Country: Iran
Languages: Persian (Farsi)
Subtitles: English
Recomended Age: U
