I am mostly writing this in response to the "still wondering" post. I hope this helps. I don't really know if it counts as a spoiler, but I checked the box for spoiler anyway so that I don't get blacklisted.
Anyway, the story is basically about a photographer who has come to a small village in the Kurdistani region of Iran to get photographs of a ceremony that occurs only after a person has died. This ceremony is mentioned and briefly described when one character talks about how his mother has two lines on her face from previous ceremonies. It is a sign of respect to the dead to demonstrate your bereavement by scarring your own skin.
The photographer, Behzad, has come to this particular village because there is a sick old woman living there who he thinks will die soon, thus setting the ceremony he wants to photograph in progress. Only problem is, she takes a lot longer to die than he is expecting. Almost every day, it seems, Behzad gets a phone call from his boss, who does not seem happy about how long his project is taking. His crew of three men also are irritated by the length of time they have had to spend in the village.
While Behzad himself seems more laid back about having to spend his time in the village, even mingling with the villagers somewhat, he still does not seem to respect their way of life much. Every time he has a phone call, he drives his car over a cemetery to get to high ground where he has better reception. Then, of course, there is the moral dilemma of if it should even be acceptable for him to come in to the village and photograph such a personal ceremony at all.
I am still confused about what the ending means, so maybe someone else can explain that farther on here someday.
I do have to agree, however, with the other confused viewer (of the "still wondering" post) about the cinematography. It is really a beautiful film.
Anyway, the story is basically about a photographer who has come to a small village in the Kurdistani region of Iran to get photographs of a ceremony that occurs only after a person has died. This ceremony is mentioned and briefly described when one character talks about how his mother has two lines on her face from previous ceremonies. It is a sign of respect to the dead to demonstrate your bereavement by scarring your own skin.
The photographer, Behzad, has come to this particular village because there is a sick old woman living there who he thinks will die soon, thus setting the ceremony he wants to photograph in progress. Only problem is, she takes a lot longer to die than he is expecting. Almost every day, it seems, Behzad gets a phone call from his boss, who does not seem happy about how long his project is taking. His crew of three men also are irritated by the length of time they have had to spend in the village.
While Behzad himself seems more laid back about having to spend his time in the village, even mingling with the villagers somewhat, he still does not seem to respect their way of life much. Every time he has a phone call, he drives his car over a cemetery to get to high ground where he has better reception. Then, of course, there is the moral dilemma of if it should even be acceptable for him to come in to the village and photograph such a personal ceremony at all.
I am still confused about what the ending means, so maybe someone else can explain that farther on here someday.
I do have to agree, however, with the other confused viewer (of the "still wondering" post) about the cinematography. It is really a beautiful film.