Watch Bashu, the Little Stranger

Bashu, the Little Stranger is a 1989 Iranian film directed by Bahram Beizai. The movie tells the story of a young boy from war-torn southern Iran who is displaced during the Iran-Iraq War and travels to a rural village in the north. The film explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural differences through the eyes of its titular character, Bashu.

As the film begins, we see Bashu (Parviz Poorhosseini) hiding among the debris of a bombed-out building. We soon learn that he has been displaced from his home in a southern coastal region of Iran called Khuzestan. Desperate to escape the violence of the war, Bashu sets off on an epic journey across the countryside, dodging bombs and bullets as he goes.

Eventually, Bashu makes it to a small village in the north, where he is taken in by a kind-hearted woman named Naii (Susan Taslimi) and her family. Naii is a widow with two children of her own, and she is initially hesitant to take in the strange, black-skinned boy who speaks a different language and eats strange foods.

Despite these initial reservations, Naii slowly begins to warm up to Bashu, teaching him how to do farm chores and including him in family meals. The film spends a lot of time exploring the cultural differences between the characters, as Bashu struggles to adapt to the northern way of life. The villagers stare and taunt him, and he is unable to communicate with anyone except Naii and her children.

The film is shot in a simple, yet beautiful style, with many scenes featuring long shots of the countryside or close-ups of the characters' faces. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the stark beauty of the Iranian landscape and the physicality of the characters' daily lives.

As the story progresses, Bashu's situation becomes more complicated. He begins to feel trapped in the village, unable to return home or find his place in the north. He also starts to feel pressure from Naii's family to conform to their ways, and he is forced to make some difficult decisions about his future.

Throughout the film, director Bahram Beizai takes great care to show the humanity in all his characters, no matter their background or their prejudices. The film is a powerful exploration of identity and what it means to belong somewhere, even if that somewhere is not your true home.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of Bashu, the Little Stranger is the incredible performance by Parviz Poorhosseini as Bashu. With no formal training in acting, Poorhosseini delivers a stunning performance, conveying Bashu's innocence, confusion, and resilience with great depth and nuance. The film is full of quiet, contemplative moments that allow Poorhosseini to shine, and he is a true revelation.

Susan Taslimi is also excellent as Naii, bringing a natural warmth and generosity to the character. Her relationship with Bashu is the heart of the film, and she is able to convey a complex mix of emotions as she struggles to understand and accept this strange little boy.

In conclusion, Bashu, the Little Stranger is an unforgettable film that explores important themes with great sensitivity and nuance. Despite being made over 30 years ago, the film feels incredibly relevant today, as we continue to grapple with issues of displacement, cultural differences, and the struggle to belong. It is a must-see for anyone interested in great filmmaking and human stories that transcend borders and boundaries.