Jan. 01, 1974|Iran|83 Min.|n/A
Genre: Drama
Description: “The Traveler,” a 1974 Iranian drama film directed by Abbas Kiarostami, follows the story of Hassan Darabi, a mischievous and morally ambiguous 10-year-old boy from a small Iranian town. Passionate about football, Hassan dreams of watching the Iranian national team play a crucial match in Tehran. To fulfill this goal, he deceives friends and neighbors, eventually making his way to the Tehran stadium just in time for the game. The film delves into Hassan’s relentless pursuit of his objective and his disregard for the consequences of his actions, particularly on those closest to him. It serves as a profound exploration of human behavior and the complex balance between right and wrong.
The protagonist, Qassem Julayi, portrayed by Hassan Darabi, is a 12-year-old football enthusiast from Malayer. More interested in playing football in his impoverished neighborhood than focusing on his studies, Qassem often fabricates excuses to justify his poor academic performance. In one scene, he arrives late to school, feigning a toothache while secretly carrying a football fan magazine. When his skeptical teacher discovers the magazine and confiscates it, Qassem devises a plan to travel to Tehran—a 150-mile journey by bus—to attend the much-anticipated football match. However, he lacks the 10 tomans needed for the bus fare.
Determined, Qassem steals 5 tomans from his mother’s savings. When she uncovers the theft, she reports it to the school principal, who harshly scolds her for raising a “monster” and punishes Qassem for refusing to admit his guilt. Later, Qassem and his friend Akbar try selling small items to raise money but fail. Akbar suggests selling an old camera owned by his uncle, but Qassem rejects the idea. Instead, he decides to exploit younger children by charging them 5 rials for fake photo sessions, showcasing his cunning and resourcefulness in the face of adversity.”
Cast director: Abbas Kiarostami
Cast actor: Hassan Darabi, Masud Zandbegleh, Mostafa Tari, Pare Gol Atashjameh
Original name: مسافر