I disliked another Iranian film, but gave that nation another chance. And this one worked, even if this movie is essentially absurdist, or at least symbolic.
Four middle-aged men are driving back along a mountain road from a ski trip that didn't work out, gossiping and mocking each other the whole time. One has to stop to urinate, and when they do, they notice a vertical rock formation they all decide to try to tip off the edge of the cliff it is a part of. When their efforts initially fail, they buy a donkey from an old man, and when that fails, they come up with more and more absurd plans to make it finally move. Never mind that they were supposed to go home and watch an important soccer game. And other people start coming by, including their relatives. Not all the movie's time is spent on the attempts to move the rock; the cast talk and argue about their families and friends and workmates.
Perhaps this movie means far more to Iranians than anyone else; the whole premise is obviously symbolic, though we don't necessarily understand what exactly was being symbolized. Politics? Religion? Mere personal relationships? Still it is mildly amusing to watch.
Four middle-aged men are driving back along a mountain road from a ski trip that didn't work out, gossiping and mocking each other the whole time. One has to stop to urinate, and when they do, they notice a vertical rock formation they all decide to try to tip off the edge of the cliff it is a part of. When their efforts initially fail, they buy a donkey from an old man, and when that fails, they come up with more and more absurd plans to make it finally move. Never mind that they were supposed to go home and watch an important soccer game. And other people start coming by, including their relatives. Not all the movie's time is spent on the attempts to move the rock; the cast talk and argue about their families and friends and workmates.
Perhaps this movie means far more to Iranians than anyone else; the whole premise is obviously symbolic, though we don't necessarily understand what exactly was being symbolized. Politics? Religion? Mere personal relationships? Still it is mildly amusing to watch.