Baran

I watched this movie the other day. I'd been trying to watch the movie for a very long time and finally made some time for it. Majid Majidi's Baran shows love as an unconditional and divine sense!

The movie begins by showing the main male character, Lateef, buying provisions at a grocery store. It gives an insight into general look and feel of Iran - atleast of a small town on the eastern side of Iran bordering Afghanistan. The contarctor, Memar has a very interesting personality. He's the kind who's basically good at heart but can bend the rules to achieve his end. He's not supposed to employ Afghans without a permit from the Govt., but then he does for profit purposes. The Afghans are shown as a very hard working people prepared to work for much less. The desparation for life and to aviod death back home is also depicted in a very suttle and implicit manner.

The greatest achievement of watching a movie such as this is that we realise that there are people in Iran - they are as normal as any others, the feelings of love is common across the planet ! The manner in which the movie is paced, the landscape shown and the seasons, the rain and the snow portrayed is also very innovative.

The love that Lateef develops for Baran is unconditional and total. The way he shields her is textbook. The entire love story is about how he is ready to do anything for her; without even having spoken to her.

The romance is very suttle and at times not comprehendable. But in the context of the conservative society of Iran, the crossing over of a woman into man's world is quite extreme. And so such unconditional and infinite love for the woman !

Overall, it's a good watch. It's more about information, depiction and sinking in the concept of such love ! It's not about entertainment at all. Not for people who need to be told everything very explicitly.