In this finely tuned work of cinematic art we meet Mr Badii, who is desperately searching for someone to assist him to commit suicide. He is willing to pay his assistant well. All his helper has to do is to is to fill the grave Mr Badii has already dug, once he is sure that Mr Badii has died. Mr Badii found it really difficult to find an assistant. After many unsuccessful efforts to convince a young Kurd soldier, an Armenian seminary and others to help him, he meets a taxidermist who needs money to take care of his sick child, who agrees to assist. The taxidermist, too, had previously attempted suicide.
We are taken on a dusty road through a bleak mining landscape which suits the ambiance of the film perfectly. The film picks up momentum slowly, but once it got going, I sat glued to my seat.
We never know why Mr Badii is driven to suicide, but that is not important. By leaving such detail out, the director and writer, Abbas Kiarostami, elevates the film above the level of just another sentimental drama about death, with a clear beginning, motive and ending. This film is much more, in fact. It is an incisive meditation on life and death, clearly elucidated by the taxidermist, and by the silent action and demeanour of Mr Badii. The ambiguous ending is perfectly tuned too. This is a fascinating film with a lot of food for thought. It is clear why this film was awarded one of cinema's highest awards, the 'Palme d'Or' in Cannes.
Cinematography, acting and directing are top-notch. 9/10.
We are taken on a dusty road through a bleak mining landscape which suits the ambiance of the film perfectly. The film picks up momentum slowly, but once it got going, I sat glued to my seat.
We never know why Mr Badii is driven to suicide, but that is not important. By leaving such detail out, the director and writer, Abbas Kiarostami, elevates the film above the level of just another sentimental drama about death, with a clear beginning, motive and ending. This film is much more, in fact. It is an incisive meditation on life and death, clearly elucidated by the taxidermist, and by the silent action and demeanour of Mr Badii. The ambiguous ending is perfectly tuned too. This is a fascinating film with a lot of food for thought. It is clear why this film was awarded one of cinema's highest awards, the 'Palme d'Or' in Cannes.
Cinematography, acting and directing are top-notch. 9/10.