Gavaznha (The Deer) is the pinnacle of cinematic output of the frequent collaborators director Kimiai and actor Vosoughi. This was the seventh and last time that they worked together before parting ways in a very bitter way; Vosoughi emigrating to California while Kimiai still makes films in Iran. Neither of them could create anything near the success of this movie again. Gavazha is one of those films which will lose a lot to non-Iranian audiences as Kimiai's unique dialogue is very hard to translate to any other language. It was made before the Iranian revolution and was labelled a revolutionary film in its time. It was heavily censored and the tale of a anti-government insurgent on the run was changed to that of an armed robber on the run. The film is about true friendship and how far you would go to make sacrifices for your friends. The friends are Ghodrat "the bank robber" on the run and Seyed, a former athlete who has become a drug addict. Seyed, who before succumbing to addiction was in love with Ghodrat's sister, gives shelter to Ghodrat and Ghodrat tries to free Seyed from his miserable drug addiction. The dialogues between the two have become legendary in Iran and Vosoughi's performance is truly astonishing. A lovely film that recalls Midnight Cowboy and is a must for fans of Iranian cinema.
