Baran

In Iran, when the illegal Afghan worker Najaf (Gholam Ali Bakhshi) breaks his foot in an accident in a construction of a building, his fragile son Rahmat becomes his replacement. The master Memar (Mohammad Amir Naji) makes Rahmat responsible for feeding the worker, and brings the young Lattef (Hossein Abedini), who was responsible for this task, to the heavy work. Latted becomes jealous of Rahmat, and spends a cruel treatment to him. However, when Lateef finds that Rahmar is indeed a girl called Baran (Zahra Bahrami), he falls in love for her and spends all his savings and gives his best efforts to protect her family and her.

"Baran" is a simple, human, beautiful, touching, irresistible wonderful love story. Exposing the situation of the explored Afghans refugees in Iran, after the Soviet invasion, their civil war and the Taliban regime, this movie 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 the essence of a pure and platonic love. The arid and cold landscape completes the scenario of this gem. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Baran"

Majidi's 'Baran' is cinema at its purest. There is no background music. No prominent special effect. The female lead does not speak a word. It's filmed in the simplest way. It's not a colourful film and yet it is so stunning to look at because the raw Iranian landscape is beautifully captured. Majidi's films have always been subtle. He depicts the hardship of Afghan refugees in Iran very well especially the struggle between both the Iranians and the Afghans and the consequences. The story revolves around Lateef and the title character Baran. Initially Lateef loathes her but as his attraction towards Baran grows stronger, he is drawn towards her. Their love story is beautifully displayed as pure and innocent. Not a word is exchanged between Lateef and Baran and this simply shows that love need not be explained with words or even touch but with action and Lateef's sacrifice proves the depth of his love. Majidi also adds a touch of humour that adds to the genuine charm of the film. He makes some astonishingly clever use of symbolism such as the last scene when Lateef looks back at Baran's footprint (after she has departed), it represents the print she left on his heart. Hossein Abedini is fantastic as Lateef. His sublime transformation from the brattish, selfish and vindictive boy to the passionate, kind and selfless lover is phenomenal. Moreover the fact that a newcomer played the part makes it more incredible. The young and stunning Zahra Bahrami is equally amazing. The actress does not get one line to say yet her non-verbal acting is stupendous. The supporting cast, though most of them include non-professionals, look authentic. To me 'Baran' was truly a unique and enlightening experience. Films like this are a rare 'breed'. They are not easy to find.

One of the most beautifully done and wonderfully acted movies I have seen in a very long time, years even. A movie of the such moving unselfish love. It goes to show you that you do not to have sex or even touching or kissing to feel or show the love that these two people have for each other. Due to cultural differences they can not even touch each other. The scene in which he helps her pick up the fruit that has fallen on the ground is so touching. How their hands criss cross each other without touching. See how just the closeness of their arms and hands to each other evoke such passionate feelings and the way they dig deep into each others eyes is wonderful. What an incredible movie.

Baran is the story of an Iranian construction worker, Latif, who is not really doing his job - he serves tea and food to the rest of the workers, managing to avoid the really hard work. He is at first a hot-tempered, selfish youth - but then, 'Rahman', an illegal Afghanistan imigrant, comes to work. He is a young, weak worker, and is at once put in Latif's job - and Rahman does a better job, too. Jealous and angry, Latif tries to make life miserable for his new adversary... until he accidentally discovers that 'Rahman' is not a boy - 'Rahman' is 'Baran', a woman.

Latif, who even though used to be a careless youth, always had a soft, romantic spot in his heart - and when he realizes Baran is a woman, he falls in love with her. He seeks to protect and help her, and his entire life is slowly and surely changed for the better because of her.

Many people have critisized this film, saying it's poorly acted, the script is badly written, etc. Please remember: this is not a Hollywood movie! This movie is not in the least bit American, therefore the viewer needs to be open minded to the different culture of Iranian cinema. Baran never says a single word in the entire film. 'BARAN' is a beautiful romantic drama filled with angst and stunning visual scapes. I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

It is not bulky classic novels but little short stories of literature which remains in your memory long-lasting once you finished it. Majidi's films are like simple beautiful piece of art, it's same as reading Oscar Wilde or O Henry's classic short stories. He knows very well where to mark underline & where to put ellipsis in a film. Set in Iran, it tells the story of an afghani refugee working father whose leg injury threatens his family's future. A child of his starts working on behalf of his father at construction site. A young co-worker named Lateef's burning hate towards child transformed by a surprising discovery that a child is a young woman in disguise. For the first time in his life, he's in love. He keeps the secret to his heart & helps her with utter unconditional devotion that will change the whole dynamics of his life.

Well it's more difficult to make a simple artistic film than making a complex piece of art & its Simplicity & portrayal of natural emotions in his films which is striking the right chords. Silence of the girl is the most felt part of the film. And what a poetic end- the last foot print impression of the girl in his life, that even rain can't wash it away.

A beautiful piece of art.

Do I have to say Must Watch? Ratings-9.5/10