Bashu, le petit étranger

Bashu deals with a very complex issue which is the vast cultural differences in Iran. It is masterfully done by one of the best directors of Iran, Bahram Beizai. Bashu is the name of a young boy from South-Western part of Iran who happens to end up in Northern part of Iran and experiences the cultural shock. In comparing these two parts of Iran, Beizai masterfully brings out the differences between the people, the climate, the costume, the language, and the past influence of Super-powers (Russia in the North and Britain in the South) meanwhile tying the story together to make a delightful movie.

I saw this movie when it was first released, and have watched it over and over again and recommend it to all.

Bashu is an amazing movie by any standard. I have watched Kiarostami, Makhmalbaf, Panahi, Majidi, but Beyzai supersedes them all inthis great film.

The story is nothing new and nor is it complex. But the way the director showed the complex undertones of complete stranger Bashus psychology was astounding.

My hats off to Beyzai: "YOU ARE THE MASTER"

Most striking in this Middle-Eastern film are the subtle reflection of the beautiful nature against a background of a senseless war and intolerant human beings. You can see the film just for enjoyment and you can keep thinking about every scene for a long time.

The story begins with Bashu, the child who wakes up seeing his mother burning up in flames, his father disappearing under wreckage of their house and his sister vanishing in the midst of Iraqi bombardment during Iraq-Iran war. The perplexed child gets deaf and run into the back of a truck, which carries him to another part of the country. The same country, yet entirely a different world: another language, another skin color, different clothes, more green fields, less sand, different Iranians...etc.

So much difference in a country supposed to be made of one nation. An illusion most authorities in the region try make their people believe in instead of encouraging tolerance among their subjects. However, Bashu would be lucky enough to find the mother Naii who is a strong woman, independent, courageous and stubborn. She is caring for her two children, chickens and other animals and gives Bashu enough tenderness that makes him smile again despite the new environment, the new language, the rejection of other villagers and flash backs of his tragic family loss. It is no wonder that Bashu sees the ghost of his real mother most of the time next to Naii.

A less convincing scene was the return of Naii's husband. It might be due to censorship that it would be said in the film that Naii's husband was looking for work. It is more digestible for the audience to be told that the man has lost this arm in the war than saying that he lost it while looking for work!

Bahram Beizai shows us how independent and smart a woman can be, yet feminine and loveable.

"Bashu" is special, important, soulful, educational, touching and not to be missed by anyone who even mildly likes film.

Aside from the cinematography acting as a medium and taking the viewer into the world of rural Iran, director Bahram Beizai uses supernatural touches to move the audience. Sussan Taslimi is tough and beautiful; the children in the film are delicious; the elders of the village are real, hateful, human.

Very little dialogue moves the story along, another feature that makes this film watchable. The piece is shot with trust and slowness that you can bathe in the surroundings without having to feel that you are on a mystery hunt. There is mystery of course and not all of it is explained. It certainly is not a Hollywood movie. It is not even a European movie. it is simply, A MUST SEE MOVIE.

Bashu is a moving film about a young Iranian boy who's family is killed during a bombing raid. Bashu escapes by stowing away in the back of a truck and ends up in a completely different part of Iran. He is adopted by Naii, a mother of two young children who's husband is away looking for work.

Bashu is nervous at first, especially as the townpeople are so hostile towards him, but Naii makes him welcome in a very touching and loving way. Naii is a very special person, combining gentleness and love with great strength. She has complete faith in Bashu and is rewarded in return with his smiles and happiness.

I loved the scene with the other young boys of the village in the crop to help the plants grow quicker. The drumming was a recurring subject, and is particularly powerful when Bashu is drumming when Naii is sick.

I thought the calling to the hawks showed a connection between Naii and Bashu but also added an earthiness and naturalness to both their characters.

This is a very moving film and I recommend to anyone.