Watch Where Is the Friend's Home?

Where Is the Friend's Home? is an Iranian film made in 1987, directed by Abbas Kiarostami. The movie is a simple yet poignant story about a young boy named Ahmed who travels to a neighboring village to return a notebook to his friend. With over 30 years since its release, the film continues to be regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time. It belongs to the genre of Iranian new wave cinema, and it stands out for its minimalist style of filmmaking and its focus on personal relations.

The story unfolds slowly but with a deep impact. We see Ahmed, played by Babek Ahmed Poor, as a curious boy with a genuine desire to ensure a notebook is returned to his friend. The notebook contains his friend's homework, which the boy was threatened to be expelled from school for. The problem is that these two villages are very similar and Ahmed doesn't know the exact whereabouts of his friend's home. His efforts to locate his friend's home become increasingly frantic as he meets resistance at every turn.

The film captures the spirit of the Iranian countryside and provides a glimpse into the daily lives of the villagers. The viewer is treated to some breathtaking scenery with wide shots of the picturesque mountainous surrounding of Iran. It is an opportunity to witness the natural beauty of a place that is often overshadowed by its politics.

The acting in the film is very natural, with no forced performances or overworked emotions. The cast, consisting mostly of non-professional actors, seamlessly blends into each other, making the scenes all the more compelling to watch. Ahmed Ahmed Poor, in particular, is very natural in his role and seems to blend in well with the village culture. Khodabakhsh Defaei's portrayal of the village teacher is also worthy of praise.

The pacing of the movie is sluggish by design, with long takes and little musical score. The audience has to invest time to observe the surroundings and the people that inhabit it. The director Kiarostami's minimalist approach forces the viewer not just to watch the movie but to ponder on its various themes. The importance placed on literacy and education, the theme of friendship and trust, and the intrusion of modern technology in traditional villages are just some of the topics addressed in the movie.

The film's overall message is a testament to the value of perseverance and determination. Ahmed's quest to find his friend's home provides a lesson that no obstacle should be too onerous to overcome when the objective is righteous. It is a movie that forces one to reflect on their own journey in life, and how our innate goodness can impact others in unimaginable ways.

In conclusion, Where Is the Friend's Home? is an outstanding piece of cinema that helps to show that great movies can transcend borders and languages. It is beautiful in its simplicity and grips the audience's attention with its visuals and narrative. It deserves recognition for its impact not only on Iranian cinema but also for its contribution to world cinema.