Khane-ye Doust Kodjast? (1987)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 83 minuten
Alternative titles: Where Is the Friend's Home? / Waar Is het Huis van Mijn Vriend? / Where is My Friend's House? / خانه دوست كجاست؟
Country:
Iran
Directed by: Abbas Kiarostami
Stars: Babek Ahmed Poor, Ahmed Ahmed Poor and Kheda Barech Defai
IMDb score:
8,1 (22.789)
Releasedate: 1 July 1987
Khane-ye Doust Kodjast? plot
When Ahmed finds out that his friend's notebook is still in his possession, he goes to return it. But since he has to go to school, there is a chance of expulsion from school. Nevertheless, he decides to visit his friend Nematzedeh in a neighboring town. An undertaking that turns out not to be completely harmless if Ahmed does not know the exact address of his friend.
Actors and actresses
Ahmed
Mohamed Reza Nematzadeh
Teacher
Mother
Father
Persian Neighbour
Grandfather's Friend
Ali
Waiter
Property Owner
Reviews & comments
Movsin
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- 8286 messages
- 8443 votes
At times magnificent, this simple film with its simple story. But then it starts to drag on a bit and the film seems to be in need of some fresh renewal, yet once again it is the little boy with his serious, wondering, uncertain, and sometimes slightly panicked look in his eyes who overwhelms you and makes you become absorbed in his experiences.
Ahmed is certainly not an example of Western youth with its many privileges. He cannot and does not dare to stand up to adults, and finds hardly any understanding from them, except perhaps from that old man who gets a brief chance to list his past work. Typical of the film's opening phase is the teacher who, as it were, starts brainstorming with his students about how he wants things done. Not a trace of contradiction.
Visually quite interesting and successful, especially the view of the housing, the impossible streets and alleys, and also the work of the inhabitants of these extremely small villages and hamlets.
However, above all, a film about friendship.
It's definitely worth a 4.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Fisico
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- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
A very fine film by Kiarostami in which children take center stage. Specifically here, little Ahmed, who has the noble goal of returning his friend and neighbor's notebook to the classroom that very same day. Because of this, Ahmed has to go to a neighboring village. I don't think the synopsis here is 100% accurate. Expulsion from school is not an option for *him*. He undertakes the trip to avoid his friend being sanctioned, as evidenced by the reprimand he has already received. Bizarre behavior from that teacher, by the way: being late is apparently not a problem. Not using a notebook is apparently the biggest mistake you can make...
A film that repeats itself a lot in its dialogue. Questions are repeated countless times. It sometimes comes across as a bit whiny. It also demonstrates the children's powerlessness in the face of parental and adult authority(ies) that are not allowed to be questioned.
Also nice is the playful soundtrack present when Ahmed walks to the other village. The streets, the houses, the village, and the countryside are charming. It gives you a beautiful glimpse into what life in those rural villages is like. There is even a cow that blocks the road at one point.
Translated from Dutch · View original
El Loco
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- 1212 messages
- 2468 votes
Sometimes I think I should delve deeper into non-Western films, because there are more than enough beautiful films among them, like this one, Where Is the Friend's Home?
It is a small and charming video in which a little boy does everything he can to return the notebook to his classmate. Otherwise, his classmate risks being expelled from school. The boy playing Ahmed does an excellent job. His persistence with his mother to be allowed to bring the notebook, and with the people he encounters to get the correct address, is very beautiful to watch. That serious look in his eyes as he tries to get the notebook to his friend was even moving.
In addition, we are shown a beautiful picture of the simple Iranian countryside. Those older men sitting and chatting about raising the children, etc., lend a sense of authenticity to the film.
The ending might not be very surprising, with Ahmed handing in the notebook including the completed homework for his friend just in time,, but it simply fits the rest of the film very well.
Nice, short film that I'm holding at 3.5* for now, but definitely one I will watch again someday.
3.5*
Translated from Dutch · View original
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