The Wind Will Carry Us

The Wind Will Carry Us, directed by the celebrated Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, is a timeless film that illustrates life, death, and the human condition. Despite being a complex production, it has garnered acclaim around the globe for its effective portrayal of the convergence of tradition and modernity. This 1999 Iranian film stars Behzad Dorani, Noghre Asadi, and Roushan Karam Elmi.

Set in Iran’s remote Kurdish region, the film unfolds around a character named Behzad, a representative from a Tehran media company, who embarks on an uncertain journey with his two colleagues. Actress Behzad Dorani's performance as the film's protagonist exhibits a unique blend of reticence and intensity. His character arrives at the quaint and isolated village of Siah Dareh, nested beautifully within the vast Kurdish landscapes, giving viewers an overwhelming sense of both the expanse of geography and the depth of human life.

Although the people in the village lead simple lifestyles, they surprise Behzad with their warm hospitality, intriguing daily routines, unusual traditions, and shocking pragmatism towards life and death. While not much is revealed about Behzad initially, it soon becomes apparent that he and his crew have a purpose for their visit - they are waiting for a centenarian woman to die, so they can document the sorrowful rituals that are to follow.

Throughout the film, the leading actor Behzad Dorani delivers an overwhelmingly human and pragmatic performance. His encounter with various villagers brings forth the slice-of-life touching elements that ground this film in reality. Noghre Asadi, as one of the locals, and Roushan Karam Elmi, as one of Behzad's crew members, offer a stirring performance too, encapsulating the lives of ordinary people navigating their rustic life, revealing subtle and hidden themes of human existence.

Undoubtedly, one of the film's key elements is its technical excellence. Beautiful panoramic shots grace the film and transport the audience to the remote Kurdish landscapes. These landscapes often stand as silent, yet profound metaphors, offering much-needed context and depth to the human events unfolding within them. Additionally, the conscious choice of static long shots by Kiarostami allows the audience time for reflection, paralleling the unfolding complexity on-screen within the seemingly simple life in the village.

From a thematic perspective, The Wind Will Carry Us beautifully unveils the dichotomy between urban sophistication and rural simplicity. Kiarostami uses his subtle directorial brilliance to underline this significant motif through the many actions of Behzad. His character's constant attempts at receiving phone signal by driving up a hill symbolizes not only his physical detachment from the village but also highlights the humbling reminder of nature's overpowering speed in contrast to the city's fast-paced tempo.

The plotline of the movie adheres closely to the ethics of documentary filmmaking, subtly questioning the acceptability of exploiting another's grief for professional gain. Using gentle humor, poignant moments, and thought-provoking situations, Kiarostami weaves a rich tapestry, exploring the limits of human curiosity and the potential moral hazards of intruding into other's lives. This is played out through Behzad's interactions with the villager's, their customs, traditions, way of life, and their unflinching acceptance of death.

Moreover, the titular poem by Forough Farrokhzad speaks to the winds of change that subtly rustle through the lives of the villagers with the arrival of Behzad. As the film progresses, it becomes a fable of existence, an examination of life and death, and a meditation on the natural and the constructed. It is a film that engages the viewer at an almost metaphysical level with its stirring imagery, profound silence, and seemingly simple narrative which masks "an ocean beneath the waves".

In conclusion, The Wind Will Carry Us is an existential masterpiece that provides viewers with an immersive and contemplative viewing experience. Its unhurried pace, beautiful cinematography, rich philosophical discourse, and stellar performances all contribute to crafting an intellectually invigorating piece of cinema. It is a film that transcends geopolitical boundaries and taps into the raw essences of human nature, culture, and civilization, reaffirming once again, Abbas Kiarostami's position as a global auteur.