I did deliberately choose to watch this on the same night as MAN PUSH CART, since they sounded similar in plot, style and tone. Marhab is a mechanic looking for work in Tehran. He becomes fascinated with a woman whose husband has just left Tehran (on the same train Marhab arrived in) to look for work elsewhere. The film tracks their struggles over the course of a year, from winter to winter, suggesting the cyclical nature of life is much like the changing seasons. What goes up, must come down... Marhab befriends another mechanic who finds him a job, but problems soon develop. Things change, only return to their previous state, or a revamped version of it. Although bleak (like the dirge that recurs on the soundtrack), the mood is not entirely dour. The protagonist is impulsive and free-spirited, which often leads to conflict, but also provides him with joy and triumph. He's an interesting, complex character, done very well by Ali Nicksaulat. Pitts frames the dingy landscape delicately, finding beauty amidst the grime. There are also some intriguing editing/scripting choices, leaving out key transitional moments, allowing the viewer to fill in the blanks while concentrating on the emotional framework. A delicate, resonant film. Iran continues to live up to its reputation as a wellspring of interesting filmmakers. I will be checking out more by Rafi Pitts.
