The Wind Will Carry Us
The Wind Will Carry Us

Movie spotlight

The Wind Will Carry Us

1999
Movie
118 min
Persian

Irreverent city engineer Behzad comes to a rural Kurdish village in Iran to keep vigil for a dying relative. In the meanwhile the film follows his efforts to fit in with the local community and how he changes his own attitudes as a result.

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes97%
Metacritic93
Google Users87%
Director: Abbas KiarostamiGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A filmmaker travels to a remote Kurdish village under the pretext of documenting a dying elder's final days. However, his true purpose is to capture the purported ritualistic death and burial of a younger woman. As he awaits her arrival, he finds himself observing the simple rhythms of village life, engaging with the locals, and contemplating the passage of time and the meaning of existence. The film delicately balances the filmmaker's external mission with his internal reflections and interactions.

Critical Reception

The Wind Will Carry Us received widespread critical acclaim for its contemplative pace, stunning cinematography, and profound philosophical themes. Critics lauded Abbas Kiarostami's masterful direction and his ability to elicit deep emotional responses through subtle observations and minimalist storytelling. Audiences often found the film to be a meditative and thought-provoking experience, appreciating its unique cinematic approach.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its profound existential themes and contemplative nature.

  • Celebrated for its minimalist storytelling and masterful direction by Kiarostami.

  • Appreciated for its striking cinematography and exploration of life, death, and time.

Google audience: Google users frequently highlight the film's slow, meditative pace and its ability to evoke deep thought and reflection on life's fundamental questions. Many appreciate the philosophical depth and artistic approach, though some note that the deliberate pacing might not appeal to all viewers.

Awards & Accolades

Grand Prix (Special Jury Prize) at the 1999 Venice Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The director, Abbas Kiarostami, originally intended to make a documentary about mourning rituals but decided to incorporate fictional elements, including the character of the filmmaker, to explore broader themes.

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