Through the Olive Trees

Through the Olive Trees is a compelling Iranian film directed by renowned auteur Abbas Kiarostami, first released in 1994. This evocative drama stars veteran Iranian actors Mohamad Ali Keshavarz, Farhad Kheradmand, and Zarifeh Shiva. The movie is part of Kiarostami’s Koker trilogy, named after the village where the films are set.

The narrative of Through the Olive Trees showcases Kiarostami’s unique ability to blend fact and fiction, creating a meta-narrative woven within layers of reality. The film is essentially a movie within a movie, capturing the recording process of the fictional film “Life and Nothing More”. Kiarostami brilliantly employs this technique in order to introduce a new level of depth into the characters, while magnifying the boundaries between truth and storytelling. This exceptional narrative form utilized in the film has made it a point of research and study among cinema scholars and enthusiasts alike.

The movie immerses the viewer in the verdant olive groves of rural northern Iran, highlighting the daily life and socio-economic realities in the aftermath of the devastating 1990 earthquake. The film acts as a veritable time capsule of that period in Iranian history, chronicling the reconstruction efforts undertaken by the simple yet resilient villagers - a trait that is shown to be typical of Iranian culture. The beautiful cinematographic representation of the landscape underscores the connection between the villagers and their land, underscoring not only the physical but also the emotional and existential recovery following the disaster.

At the heart of the narrative is the touching tale of a young laborer, Hossein (Hossein Rezai), who takes part in the reconstruction efforts. He struggles with unrequited love for a woman named Tahereh (Tahereh Ladanian), who he shared screen space with during the shoot. The humble and taciturn Hossein is illiterate, and his pursuit of an educated, independent woman like Tahereh is met with resistance from her family as well as from society.

Keshavarz, Kheradmand and Shiva give particularly outstanding performances, imbuing their characters with depth and authenticity. Keshavarz and Kheradmand, acting as film director and his assistant, effectively portray the sometimes delicate dynamics that take place between a film crew and the local populace during a shoot. Shiva, playing the role of a local woman acting in the film, powerfully portrays the struggles of Iranian women within the patriarchal society.

The subplot of the film within the film is layered and complex, as identity, power dynamics, social status, education, and the nature of filmmaking itself all converge in a most extraordinary manner. The unspoken feelings, desires, and ambitions of each character surface and are brought to life through minimalistic dialogue, expressive acting, and in-depth character development.

Kiarostami uses the medium of cinema to challenge social mores in quiet but profound ways. The director's portrayal of the female lead not as a submissive character but as an educated woman who is very much aware of her rights, status, and desires breaks away from the traditional stereotypes of rural Iranian women often seen in international cinema. Kiarostami demonstrates an enlightened perception of women, their dreams, struggles, and desires for self-determination, which forms a significant aspect of the film.

The film gains even more richness when Kiarostami’s long shots capture the harshness and beauty of the Iranian landscape, linking the characters to their environment and emphasizing their resilience and adaptability. The poetic visuals are coupled with a stirring score that adds layers to the narration, developing tonal harmony within the film.

In summary, Through the Olive Trees is not just a film, but an experience that invites viewers to delve deep into the heart of rural Iranian reality, and explore the intertwined lives of these compellingly drawn characters. The film’s gentle rhythm, understated humor, poignant tales of unspoken love, and above all, the humane portrayal of the characters, all combine to create an irresistible cinematic tapestry, painting a captivating picture of resilience, compassion, and humanity.