Blackboards
 
Director Samira Makhmalbaf Length
1hr 25mins
    Certificate
PG
Stars Bahman Ghobadi Year
2000
  Said Mohamadi Country

Iran/Italy
  Behnaz Jafai Language
In Farsi with English subtitles
       
       
Outline

Grand Jury Prize-winner at both Cannes and Los Angeles, this is the tale of two teachers setting out in Iranian Kurdistan, near the dangerous Iraqi border, to convince reluctant villagers of the joys of learning. Their encounters are extraordinary, as is the ability of local people to survive in a malevolent world.

Cannes 2000 Jury Prize (shared with Songs From The Second Floor)

Reviews

"Further evidence of the arrival of a major and astoundingly mature new voice in Iranian cinema!" - David Wood, BBC Online

"A thoughtful, often visually striking agitprop work." - Alexander Walker , Evening Standard

"A jewel of a film" - The Guardian.
Shop
Buy this Video
Video____DVD

 

 
 
Look up at IMDb
  
     
Members Reviews

There are currently no reviews for this film: submit one here.

Screening Notes

Set in Iranian Kurdistan close to the Iran/Iraqi border two male teachers set off across the devastated, beautiful mountains in search of pupils. The two teachers, Reeboir and Said with blackboards strapped to their backs find this a difficult task, trying to convince the mountain people of the pleasures of learning. Eventually they split up and we continue to watch the fate of both men as they travel alone. They go from village to village and encounter many different people from smugglers to refugees. Their blackboards come in useful along their journey as bombs shields from the frequent helicopter attacks and as a requisite dowry…

Full notes are available here.

Internet Links

Behind the camera with Samira Makhmalbaf

The Digital Revolution and The Future Cinema - Samira Makhmalbaf's Address at Cannes Festival

If you would like to suggest a link for this film please email kfc@xim1.co.uk

 

Back