Jan. 31, 2001|Iran|90 Min.|PG
Genre: Drama;Romance
Description: Baran, a 2001 Iranian film directed by Majid Majidi, tells the story of Lateef, a 17-year-old Kurdish worker at a Tehran construction site. Initially, Lateef resents Rahmat, a new Afghan worker who takes on lighter tasks, leaving Lateef with heavier responsibilities. Lateef’s hostility turns to cruelty, but after one of his pranks, he discovers Rahmat’s secret: she is actually a girl named Baran. This revelation transforms Lateef’s feelings, and he becomes protective and deeply affectionate toward her, striving to ease her hardships at work.
Set against the backdrop of a city with a significant Afghan refugee population, Baran is a near-silent film that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and human connection. The film earned numerous national and international accolades for Majid Majidi’s direction and storytelling.
In one pivotal scene, Lateef is shocked to discover Baran’s true identity while watching her comb her hair. Overwhelmed, he becomes disoriented, hearing strange sounds. His attitude shifts entirely, and he grows protective and devoted. When inspectors unexpectedly visit the site, Baran panics and flees. Lateef intervenes, allowing her to escape but is beaten and arrested. The incident forces the construction site to comply with labor laws, resulting in the dismissal of all undocumented workers.
Unable to bear Baran’s absence, Lateef seeks information from Soltan, another Afghan worker. He ventures into the Afghan community, encountering a mysterious cobbler and eventually arriving at a shrine near a graveyard. There, he observes a gathering of Afghan refugees participating in a milk ceremony. Unbeknownst to Lateef, Baran stands among them, now dressed in traditional female attire. She notices him but leaves without being seen. Lateef, unaware of her presence, continues his search, longing for a reunion.
The film poignantly captures the struggles of Afghan refugees in Iran and the transformative power of compassion and love.
Cast director: Majid Majidi
Cast actor: Hossein Abedini, Zahra Bahrami, Mohammad Amir Naji, Hossein Mahjoub, Abbas Rahimi, Gholam Ali Bakhshi, Jafar Tawakoli, Yadollah Hedayati, Parviz Larijani, Mahmoud Behraznia
Original name: باران