The Traveller (Mossafer)
Retrospective of a Cinematic Master
/ Feature Narrative / Iran / 1974 / Black & White
In Persian / Arabic, English subtitles
No Premiere
Rated: Parental guidance is advised. Some material may be inappropriate for young children.
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Synopsis
Following on the success of his short films, Kiarostami’s first feature-length film was released in 1974. Here, the director further develops his individualistic storytelling style, already defying expected narrative conventions to create a film that closely examines human behaviour and the interplay of moral choices.
‘The Traveller’ follows Qassem, a 12-year-old, spirited, football-mad boy as he scams those around him in the hopes of coming up with enough money to buy a ticket to see his all-time favourite team play a big match in Tehran. Selfish and incorrigible, young Qassem amasses his cash without a thought about anyone else, and heads off to the capital to catch the game.
The lonely ride on a bus to Tehran introduces another element common to Kiarostami’s work – the opposition of rural and urban spaces. The familiar community of Qassem’s village vanishes in the city, where the boy is anonymous and has no status. He makes his way to the football stadium to purchase his ticket; it is perhaps no surprise that Kiarostami plays the story out in an unexpected – and haunting – fashion.