The Cow

The Cow is an immensely profound and deeply heart-wrenching movie, directed by Dariush Mehrjui and released in 1969. It is an Iranian cinematic masterpiece starring Ezzatolah Entezami, Mahin Shahabi, and Ali Nasirian that renders a stark representation of rural life in Iran, carrying monumental emotional weight beneath its seemingly simple premise.

Ezzatolah Entezami, lovingly referred to as the "sultan of Iranian cinema," leads the movie with an extraordinarily compelling performance. He plays the role of a humble, caring, impoverished-middle-aged man named Hassan who lives in a secluded village, untouched by the bustling modern world. Hassan owns a cow that is the only source of sustenance for him and his wife played by Mahin Shahabi. The cow is not just an animal; it is, in essence, a symbol of wealth, prestige, and salvation for the struggling villagers.

Hassan's sentimental attachment and utter dependence on his cow hit the viewers with the raw feeling of his desolation and vulnerability. To the villagers and him, the cow is not just an asset; it is an indispensable part of their life, almost like another member of their small, intimate community.

Incorporating a multi-dimensional performance, Ali Nasirian claims a vital part in the movie. He plays a villager who bears witness to the chain of events that follow through the narrative of the movie; his performance about primal loyalties, duty, and guilt accentuate the poignancy of the storyline.

The Cow is unorthodox and daring in its portrayal of rural Iranian life. The rustic aesthetics and the simplicity of life in the remote regions of Iran are depicted with relentless integrity by director Dariush Mehrjui. He uses the backdrop of rural Iran to unveil deeper truths about human relationships and the spiraling effects of loss. Mehrjui's cinematic direction does not shy away from displaying the brutal realities of life in forgotten corners of Iran, and instead, embraces the raw authenticity of their struggles.

The film skillfully combines the elements of drama, tragedy, and psychological study, using the narrative as a lens to scrutinize the human psyche under the duress of loss and belief systems. Armed with a simple plot propelled by the seamless performance of the actors, the film manages to convey profound and complex ideas concerning the human condition and societal trends.

The Cow, being more than a story about a man and his cow, symbolizes how the dependence on tradition and the fear of change can lead to isolation and a rapid breakdown of communal relations. Each frame of the film is magnificent and tells a story through its silence, meticulous compositions, and the compelling expressions of the actors.

The black-and-white cinematography of the film, handled by Fereydoun Gole, adds an additional layer of depth to the narrative. The stark contrast accentuates the harsh realities of life, reflecting the raw emotions of characters, and sets the right mood for the film. Despite the austerity of the setting and the simplicity of its premise, The Cow is visually captivating.

The screenplay, penned by Gholam-Hossein Sa'edi, is an adaptation of his own play, driving this benchmark film of the Iranian New Wave. The movie's dialogue is rich and meaningful; it is an essential tool that Mehrjui uses to express the depth of the characters and their emotional landscape. The simplicity yet depth of the dialogues add another layer of complexity to the film, making it an intriguing watch.

Overall, The Cow is a poignant portrayal of a man confined to his primitive life, shrouded by desolation, and navigating through a series of events triggered by the loss of his precious cow. This 1969 classic remains a quintessential Iranian film, one that captures the essence of a specific time and place. It is a fundamental prophet of Iranian cinema, projecting the societal prejudices and portraying an individual's fight against fatality and the subsequent loss of his sanity. The Cow, with its intense storytelling combined with an outstanding performance by its cast, offers more than just entertainment; it provides an insight into human nature, morality and the inherent instinct of survival.