The Vatican curated a list of 45 films in 1995, purportedly those that best captured the essence of the human spirit. The absence of Bahram Beyzai's "Safar" (The Journey) from this list is a lamentable oversight, as it surpasses many of the included films in its profound exploration of the human condition.
In truth, "Safar" is a film that every aspiring filmmaker should experience at least once. The echoes of the journey undertaken by two impoverished children in 1972 can still be felt in contemporary cinema. While not everyone may have seen this film directly, its influence has permeated the works of countless others, leaving an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape.
"Safar" is a testament to the power of cinema to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, speaking to the universal human experience of hope, resilience, and the enduring bond of brotherhood. Beyzai's direction is masterful, weaving a tapestry of visual poetry and emotional depth that lingers long after the final frame fades to black.
